Deputy Mayor Encourages Residents to Attend Hailsham Choral Society Concert

The Deputy Mayor of Hailsham, Cllr Colin Mitchell will attend Hailsham Choral Society’s annual Autumn Concert in November and is encouraging residents to support the local choir and enjoy what promises to be an outstanding evening of choral music.

The concert will be held on Saturday 21 November at 7.30pm at St Saviour’s Church, South Street, Eastbourne, and forms part of the Society’s programme of regular performances throughout the year.

This year’s concert will feature two major works: Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana (Songs of Beuern) and Zoltán Kodály’s Missa Brevis.

Orff’s Carmina Burana is one of the best-known works in the choral repertoire, setting a collection of medieval poems exploring themes including love, fortune, spring, drinking and the unpredictability of fate. Alongside this, Kodály’s Missa Brevis, composed during the Second World War, offers a contrasting and deeply expressive work, rich in musical and emotional depth.

The concert will be conducted by Josik Kotz, with performances from soprano Stefanie Kemball-Read and baritone Louis Hurst. They will be joined by organist and pianist Andrew Wilson, pianist William Hancox and The John Rockliffe Percussion Ensemble.

Deputy Mayor Cllr Colin Mitchell praised the Society’s contribution to the local cultural scene and encouraged residents to attend. He said: “Hailsham Choral Society makes a tremendous contribution to the cultural life of our community, and I am very much looking forward to attending this year’s Autumn Concert. The Society continues to bring high-quality choral music to audiences in Hailsham and the surrounding area, while providing an important opportunity for local performers and musicians to showcase their talents.”

“With Carmina Burana and Kodály’s Missa Brevis forming the centrepiece of the programme, this promises to be a particularly special evening of music. I would encourage anyone with an interest in music, whether they are regular concertgoers or simply looking for an enjoyable evening out, to come along and support the choir and everyone involved in the performance.”

“Community organisations such as Hailsham Choral Society play an important role in enriching our cultural life, bringing people together through music and helping to ensure that the arts remain accessible and firmly rooted within our local communities. I am sure this concert will be a memorable occasion for both performers and audience members.”

Tickets are priced at £18 per adult in advance (£20 on the door), while under-16s can attend free of charge. Tickets are available online through WeGotTickets, from the Eastbourne Tourist Office, from choir members or on the door, subject to availability.

Hailsham Choral Society is an established and active choir with more than 60 members. The Society presents a varied programme throughout the year, performing a wide repertoire ranging from major classical choral works to lighter and more popular music. Previous programmes have included works by composers such as Bach, Rossini and Gershwin, alongside music from well-known musicals.

The choir regularly performs in Hailsham and Eastbourne, presenting several concerts each year, including its popular annual Christmas concert.

Alongside its concert programme, the Society works with professional soloists and orchestras and welcomes new members. Weekly rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings at Hailsham Civic Community Hall, while the Society also organises social activities including music workshops, coffee mornings and quizzes.

For further information about Hailsham Choral Society, visit www.hailshamchoral.org.