Forthcoming concerts ...

Sunday 28th March, 6.00pm [revised date and time]
St John sub Castro, Lancaster Street, Lewes
directed by Sandy Chenery

RENAISSANCE SACRED MASTERPIECES

On Palm Sunday the we will perform a varied programme of a cappella sacred music from England and Italy. William Byrd's stunning Mass for five voices is interspersed with music by Palestrina, Gesualdo and John Sheppard. Looking forward a week to the events of Good Friday and Holy Saturday, Gesualdo's Tenebrae Responsories couple the composer's unique and anguished harmonic language with texts set for the Holy Week service of Tenebrae. John Sheppard's Media vita is a monumental 6-part setting of the Lent Antiphon for the Nunc Dimittis. Its soaring melodic lines and lush textures make it one of the great English masterworks of the 16th Century. Palestrina's complete setting of the Song of Songs, one of the shortest books in the bible, is a remarkable cycle of motets. The music beautifully characterises the biblical love poetry with dramatic, at times madrigalian, rhythms and textures. This programme offers an opportunity to relish some of the great choral music from the Renaissance ... a perfect start to Holy Week!

Tickets £10 (students and unwaged £8, under 16s free)
available in advance in person from Lewes Tourist Information Centre, 187 High Street, Lewes BN7 2DE, or on the door

About the choir...

The Esterházy Chamber Choir was founded in 1993 and is based in Lewes, East Sussex. Comprising around thirty four experienced singers from a wide variety of backgrounds, the choir aims to perform at a professional standard whilst remaining firmly rooted in the fine English tradition of amateur music making. Sandy Chenery is Music Director.

The group's repertoire spans four centuries of sacred and secular music with an emphasis on a cappella singing. Past concerts are listed in the concert archive.

As a Registered Charity, the group strives to make music more accessible to the young by offering free admission to accompanied children at concerts which the choir itself promotes - in particular its popular Christmas concert.

The choir receives support from its Friends Association.  If you wish to become a Benefactor, Patron or Associate please approach the choir through the email address below.

Please get in touch if you would like to ask us to perform at a wedding, or other occasion.

Singers wanted ...

New singers are welcomed. Currently there is one vacancy in the tenor section -- we are not able to offer a place to other voices at this stage. Sopranos, altos and basses are invited to send contact details, which will be held on a waiting list. Entry is by audition, usually held following one of our regular rehearsals on a Wednesday evening.

Contact us ...

Email: choir@esterhazy.org.uk - to avoid your email being identified as "spam", please include the word choir in the subject box.