Come & Sing! New Members Welcome!
Welcome to Uppingham Choral Society
Uppingham Choral Society is an enthusiastic group of amateur, un-auditioned singers who meet weekly, during term-time, to learn masterpieces of the choral repertoire, enjoying both the music-making and each other’s company.
The Society was originally formed in 1887, and was re-founded in 1959 by the late Jim Peschek: their first performance was of Handel’s Messiah in the Parish Church in March 1960.
Photo credit: Andrew Wilson
Rehearsal Address
12 Orange Street
Uppingham
Rutland
LE15 9SQ
About Us
We perform four concerts a year. These include a November (Autumn) concert, and a Christmas concert (middle December) which has audience participation, a Spring concert and a Summer tea-time concert in one of the nearby villages.
The choir is open to all, no audition is required. The ability to read music is an advantage but is not essential.
Our MD is David Revels, who is Head of Singing and Choral Director at Uppingham School. To find out more follow this link.
Photo credit: Andrew Wilson
Member Information
Member News
Review: Kings, Queens & Coronations 2024
Uppingham Choral Society's March concert, titled "Kings, Queens and Coronations," was a rollercoaster ride of musical drama that left us all...
A Harmonious Evening of Celebration: Uppingham Choral Society’s Social Event Recap
What a very jolly Social we had last week – an excellent way to spend a cold February Thursday evening – well, nearly as good as singing... The...
UPPINGHAM CHORAL SOCIETY CHRISTMAS CONCERT: A REVIEW BY DAVE CASEWELL
Although the weather forecasters had said it was ‘mild’ there was a chilly ‘lazy’ wind blowing past the pretty Christmas tree in Uppingham Market...
UPPINGHAM CHORAL SOCIETY AUTUMN 2023 CONCERT – A REVIEW BY DAVE CASEWELL
A dark, damp evening, but certainly cheered up by the sight of the newly installed Christmas tree in the Market Place, and the welcoming lights of...
Time for another Uppbeat! September 2023
First of all, I must announce that the AGM will take place during the rehearsal on 5th October. We will see if we can beat the duration record which...
Uppbeat August 2023
Another season is almost upon us, and we have the added excitement of a new MD to look forward to! As you already know David Revels is joining us in...
David Revels – Biography
David Revels is Head of Singing and Choral Director at Uppingham School. With almost thirty years of experience as a conductor, performer, and...
UPPINGHAM CHORAL SOCIETY SUMMER CONCERT 2023 – A REVIEW BY DAVE CASEWELL
A Farewell to (Conductor’s) Arms! Uppingham Choral Society broke new ground by giving a summer concert of madrigals and other part songs on Sunday...
Summer Term begins on Thursday 20th April
It will be an action-packed few weeks – we will be having auditions for our new MD during some rehearsals, and the committee will be canvassing...
Society Information
How much does it cost to become a choir Member?
We keep our costs very affordable and very good value for money. Singing in a choir is good for body and soul and is the fastest growing activity in the UK.
Subscription per person per term £60 – Though for this term time only (Summer 2024) Subs are £40
Our Treasurer would appreciate BACS payment of subscriptions directly into our bank account.
HSBC Sort code: 40-45-03 A/C: 50829536
Please use your surname as reference.
However – Cheques or cash are still acceptable!
Please contact the Treasurer John Hindle with any questions. Tel: 01536 770580 or email John.
Officers of the Society:
Musical Director – David Revels (Bio here)
Chairman – Alison Green
Secretary – Liz Woolston
Treasurer – John Hindle
Musical Director
David Revels is Head of Singing and Choral Director at Uppingham School. With almost thirty years of experience as a conductor, performer, and educator, he is enjoying being part of the musical life in Rutland.
He has toured with The Gabrieli Consort, The Monteverdi Choir, and Britten Sinfonia Voices; and has sung as a deputy in many Cathedral and Church choirs in London, including: Westminster Cathedral; Brompton Oratory; St Bride’s, Fleet Street; St George’s, Hanover Square; and many more.
David is a former Choral Scholar and Lay Clerk at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, where he read Music. In addition to the daily services, broadcasts, and concert tours, his recordings have included music from Palestrina to Walton and also featured on the soundtracks of The Vicar of Dibley and Mr Bean! There is also a glimpse of him on the big screen in Sir Richard Eyre’s Stagebeauty featuring Clare Danes and Rupert Everett.
David is the former Assistant Director of Music at Brentwood School in Essex, where he created and established a new choral strategy for the School. Here he directed many of the choirs, implemented a Digital Piano Project to enhance classroom teaching, oversaw the development of a 3 – 18 Music curriculum strategy, and taught all levels of Music.
Prior to this position, David was the Head of Vocal Studies at Morley College, London where he managed a wide and varied provision of vocal courses (classical, folk, pop, jazz etc.) across an age range of 18 – 80+ with a host of choirs of varying ability and experience; and a part-time opera course.
Upcoming Concerts
23
June
Music for a Summer Afternoon
Music and readings, followed by tea.
Sunday 23rd June at 4pm.
St Peter’s Church, Barrowden.
Tickets £10 at the door. Children under 12 FREE with an accompanying adult. Also available from uppchoral@gmail.com or from Liz on 07531 795 561
Past Concerts
Our past performances have included:
- Faure – Requiem
- Handel – Israel in Egypt
- Beethoven – Mass in C
- Elgar – For the Fallen
- Handel – Coronation Anthems
- Brahms – German Requiem
- Mozart – Songs from the Bavarian Highlands
- Handel – Messiah
- Mozart – Great Mass in C Minor
- Mozart – Solemn Vespers
- Mendelssohn – Hymn of Praise
- Vaughan Williams – Toward the Unknown Region
- Mendelssohn – Elijah
- Vaughan Williams – Five Mystical Songs