Our past music
Over the years, our repertoire has expanded hugely!
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Here is a flavour of our concert performances...
We were delighted to receive this letter from a member of the audience at our Messiah performance (who has herself been involved in the world of music and whose husband was a professional opera singer.)
"The Sturminster Newton Choral Society production of The Messiah on 7th December 2024, was simply fabulous.
I cannot remember a time when the society was in such excellent form.
The soloists were marvellous, they were professionals and obviously, that is their usual standard.
However, the Choral Society was just wonderful. They were inspired and I do believe they found their collective voice, with the incomparable skills of their conductor, Caroline d’ Cruz.
She left everyone in no doubt – singers, instrumentalists and audience, as to what her standards were. Brava!
I am so pleased to have attended this concert. What an absolute feast! Plus – mince pies and obligatory Christmas chocolate, all washed down with rather good wine.
Bravissimi
Francesca Murray-Mattei"
Our Autumn Concert - on SATURDAY December 7th - was a rousing performance of Handel's great oratorio "Messiah".
We were delighted to have been supported by these amazing soloists:
Former Sherborne school and Trinity College Cambridge Choral Scholar, Amelia is fast becoming known for her solo performances, with London Mozart players and at the Sherborne Abbey Festival Chorus, among many others.​
Charlotte has been able to work regularly with a number of small independent Opera companies and Choral societies; many of whom ask her to return regularly each year. Charlotte’s route into professional singing has not been conventional, her study has been mainly private and she continues to work closely with her teacher Neil Baker, she has regular language and drama coaching.
Jonathan is a versatile tenor, equally comfortable on the operatic stage, concert platform, and choral circuit. Notable recent roles include Don Jose Carmen (Baseless Fabric Theatre), Hoffmann The Tales of Hoffmann (Kentish Opera), Pinkerton Madame Butterfly (Opera Up Close), and Cavaradossi Tosca (Bridgetower Ensemble).​​
​Philip Smith studied at the Birmingham Conservatoire and Royal Northern College of Music, graduating with distinction in 2008. He is a former Britten Pears Young Artist, a Samling Artist and Crear Scholar. His professional career has embraced a wide repertoire of operatic and concert roles.
and instrumentalists:
Caroline Buxton - Cello
​Caroline enjoys playing her 'cello with the Dorset County orchestra and Chamber orchestra, as well as the Dorset Bach Cantata club. A keen chamber music player often joining friends to play a wide repertoire of quartets, quintets and even octets.
Winston Leese - Trumpet
​Playing brass since the age of 6, Winston has made a full career in teaching and professionally with the D'Oyly Carte Opera orchestra. He has been based in Dorset since 1985 and works with many choral societies across the South-West.
Chris Mahon - Organ
An organist for over 60 years, Chris is well known locally after a career including Clayesmore School and St James' church, Shaftesbury.
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​Special thanks must go to Caroline D'Cruz who stepped in to conduct us, at short notice, after our tireless music director Annemarie Lees suffered a fall (although she was able to swell the ranks of our sopranos!)
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