Christmas season 2024 - that’s a wrap!

It’s been a busy week for the singers, parents, conductors, accompanists and volunteers of Farnham Youth Choir! 

The combined choirs of Farnham Youth Choir

On Wednesday, 4th December FYC’s Senior Choir performed in Farnham Town Council’s annual Civic Christmas Carol Service, hosted by the Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Brodie Mauluka. The service began with Once In Royal David’s City including the traditional treble solo verse beautifully sung by Max Wilson. In addition to the readings and audience carols, the varied programme included ‘Wolcum Yole’ from Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, the much-loved Carol of the Bells, a great new arrangement of Gaudete by FYC alum Suzzi Vango and Errollyn Wallen’s haunting Peace On Earth. The choir, who were expertly led by their Artistic Director Patrick Barrett and accompanied on the piano and organ by Matthew Rickard, were delighted to receive compliments from the Mayor and audience on their impeccable performances.

Next up was the gala concert featuring all three FYC choirs - Training Choir, Junior Choir and Senior Choir - on Saturday 7th December at the Medici Theatre, Weydon School. The packed house was treated to brilliant performances by Junior Choir, conducted by Margaret O’Shea and accompanied by Susan Norman, of the evocative songs The Bat and The Firefly by Andy Beck as well as an extremely joyful rendition of Oh Come All Ye Faithful arranged by Masa Fukuda.

Junior Choir

FYC’s Training Choir, conducted on this occasion by Sally Hollyer, were not to be outdone and their performance of A New Star was equally joyful, followed by two slower and atmospheric songs about snow, with an impressive performance in Italian of the carol Dormi, Dormi to finish their set. The singing was interspersed with readings by young people and adults in keeping with the concert’s theme of ‘Peace on Earth’. One of the many highlights of the evening was John Williams’ Somewhere In My Memory (from the film Home Alone) sung by the combined choirs, followed by an exuberant rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas with actions, to round off an evening of high-quality music-making.

Training Choir

The final performance of the Christmas season was given by the Senior Choir on Monday, 9th December at Farnham Castle. This event, for invited guests including the Mayor of Farnham, raised money for The Vine Centre who support adults and families that are socially isolated, long-term unemployed, homeless or poorly housed, suffering with mental health, addiction or learning difficulties. Derek Carpenter, Chair of Farnham Castle Charity & Trust, said: 

The good the FYC does for our community goes a lot deeper than simply a happy smiling audience on the night. A lot of disadvantaged people will benefit indirectly, and for some time, from the choir’s wonderful performance. 

We wish all our singers, families and supporters a wonderful Christmas and peaceful New Year.

Farnham Youth Choir kicks off 40th anniversary season

Farnham Youth Choir, one of the world’s best youth choirs, is celebrating its 40th anniversary! Over the last four decades, children and young people have been inspired to come together and sing at the highest level, initially by FYC founder David Victor-Smith MBE and now under the direction of Patrick Barrett. The choir has won numerous awards and performed in many of the world’s most prestigious venues.

The celebratory year kicks off with open rehearsals on 6th and 13th September where children and young people from school years 2-9 are invited to come and see what the choir is all about. If they enjoy themselves, children in school years 2-4 can immediately join the Training Choir and older children can audition for either the Junior Choir or the Senior Choir, where a limited number of places are available. The choir has a bursary scheme and is keen to include children from all backgrounds.

After that, celebrations get fully underway at our autumn concert right here in Farnham at St Andrew’s Church. Tickets are available from our website (fyc.org.uk). Various Christmas performances follow and in 2024, the choir invites alumni to join them at a gala concert in London on 9th March. The year culminates in the Senior Choir jetting off to Auckland, New Zealand, to compete in the Interkultur World Choir Games. It’s going to be an exciting year!

Co-Chair of Trustees, Melanie Hancox, said:

‘We’re so excited to be sharing our anniversary celebrations with our local community. Farnham Youth Choir has such deep roots in the town and we want to include as many people as possible in our celebrations.’

Artistic Director, Patrick Barrett, said:

‘Our anniversary year is going to be busy, but we’re very happy to have so many brilliant performance opportunities to offer our young people. It’s a great time to join one of our choirs.’

Budding singers who would like to go to an open rehearsal should visit fyc.org.uk/joinus.

FYC Ahoy!

On Sunday, 2nd June the Farnham Maltings was ringing with the sounds of sea shanties and folk tunes from Tudor England! FYC’s Junior Choir were delighted to join forces with Farnham and Bourne Choral Society in a performance of Ahoy! Sing for the Mary Rose by Alexander L’Estrange. Written in 2013, the work commemorates the opening of the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth. Conducted by Margaret O’Shea and Ben de Souza, the choirs were accompanied by a jazz quintet including accordion and violin, creating an atmospheric sound.

The FYC Junior Choir also brilliantly performed some of their own repertoire and received very positive feedback from the audience. Well done, JC!

FYC in London world premiere

On Tuesday, 9th May FYC’s Junior Choir - along with some members of the Senior Choir - took part in the world premiere performance of Ian Fletcher’s oratorio Jonah, based on the biblical story. It is scored for a full symphony orchestra, an adult chorus of about 100, a children’s choir and four soloists.

The concert took place at London’s Cadogan Hall, where the choir had the opportunity to perform alongside the National Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Chorus and professional soloists. Altogether there were approximately 200 participants!

For most members of the choir, this was their first London performance in a professional setting. Singer Lucy said, ‘It was very exciting and a new experience for me to sing with a professional orchestra and singers’.

As always, FYC rose to the occasion and contributed to a fantastic performance, which was very well received by the audience, resulting in a standing ovation. Well done FYC!