South West England’s Premier Choir
Founded in 1970, our 150-plus members perform a variety of music in Plymouth and elsewhere in the country and abroad. We have won widespread acclaim and concerts often include world-class soloists and musicians. 'In the top 10% of amateur choirs in the UK' says internationally renowned tenor and choir Patron Neil Jenkins.
Many thanks to all those who came to our concert of Haydn’s Nelson Mass and Mozart’s Coronation Mass. One audience member commented the concert was ‘magnificent’, and said, ‘We were both really energised by the evening and loved every minute’. Our, now retired, accompanist Jenny Shepley said, “I loved every minute of it. You sounded absolutely fantastic and it was so great to see you all again.”
It was wonderful to sing together again! The concert went really well, and we owe Musical Director Christopher Fletcher our thanks for inspiring the choir so much and enabling us to sing at such a level again after a long break over the past two years. A real tribute to him, as this was his 25th anniversary concert as leader of our choir. Massive thanks also go to everyone for the support and hard work that was put in to making the day go so smoothly.
To book tickets for our future events, click the Concerts & Workshops tab then Our Next Concert.
Future dates for your diary:
Sunday 3 April 2022 – Guildhall concert – Verdi Requiem
Saturday 7 May 2022 – The Big Sing – all welcome – programme to be announced
Sunday 26 June 2022 – Guildhall concert – programme to be announced
Saturday 24 September 2022 – David Lawrence workshop
Brian Gerry, Plymouth Philharmonic Choir President
“The choir was just fantastic and the overall detail you brought to this work was such a pleasure to listen to. A truly splendid achievement. I am always proud of what the Philharmonic Choir achieves and at the end of the performance I was lost for words – possibly a first for me!!!”
From former chairman Paul Baldry (on his retirement from the choir due to ill health)
I have so many varied memories of wonderful days and hours of music, deep friendships, planning visits to sing with other choirs, and particularly with the Royal Marine teams at HMS Raleigh.
Please do give my very best wishes and deep appreciation to everyone, especially Christopher and Jenny Shepley, with their dedicated, professional music skills leading everyone forward.
From a choir member
It’s changed my life for the better.
“The choir were superb. As their new President I’d like to congratulate them all. The one word that springs to mind was moving. It was a sweeping arch of sound.” Brian Gerry
“I’m really proud to be part of this wonderful choir. Christopher works us hard but look at the results! Fantastic and memorable evening of amazing soloists and orchestra too.”
Kathryn Slater, choir member
Comments overheard on the way out after a concert:
“What an achievement. The harmonies were fabulous.”
To a choir member “You look exhausted. How’s the voice?” “What voice?” she croaked.
“It was so moving and everyone put in a hundred and ten percent.”
“That soprano was terrific.”
“To my untutored ears it was fantastic.”
“Absolutely magic – so powerful.”
“I’m knackered!” (said by a choir member)
OUR RECENT CONCERT
The Herald produced a splendid feature about our choir interviewing our youngest and one of our oldest members. They have an age difference of 75 years! It also reveals just…
CHORAL WORKSHOP
WITH DAVID LAWRENCE
Our 2022 choral workshop sees a welcome return to David Lawrence. His 2019 choral workshop was a huge success. For those who weren’t there, we thought we’d share some of David Lawrence’s advice on singing technique … and also some of his wit …!!
- Open the back of your mouth wide and say “The space at the back of my mouth”, then sing as if you were singing out behind you. This opens the pharyngeal space, whereas singing forward creates a constricted space and forces the voice.
- David got us to sing a closely harmonised phrase from the Little Jazz Mass with our eyes closed to emphasise the need to listen to each other – this was really effective.
- David encouraged the altos to use their controlled vibrato to add richness of tone when singing forte at the top of our range – this earned us a round of applause.
- Don’t drop your head when singing a low note and use the same face whether you’re singing high or low in your range.
- To improve our diction, he got us to sing with our finger in our mouth and make the tongue work harder.
- When you breathe in, imagine wearing a belt of noses around your waist.
