The EAC 2025 Verdi Challenge

**** Please note that are no more vacancies for sopranos, but applications from other parts would be welcome ****

THE ENGLISH ARTS CHORALE invites experienced choral singers to perform the Verdi Requiem from memory alongside the Chorale’s regular members, in a concert also featuring the KANNEH-MASON trio playing Beethoven’s Triple Concerto (for violin, cello, and piano), and starting with Elgar’s Pomp & Circumstance March No.1.

About us
The English Arts Chorale is an ambitious auditioned choir. We have performed major choral-orchestral repertoire with the Philharmonia Orchestra at the Barbican, the London Mozart Players at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and a wide range of music at St Martin in the Fields, and in many English cathedrals.

Notable performances include The Dream of Gerontius in Prague, the Sea Symphony in St Edmundsbury Cathedral and Dorking Halls, the War Requiem in Winchester Cathedral and Tewkesbury Abbey, and, most recently, the St Matthew Passion to a packed audience in Chichester Cathedral. The Chorale is currently preparing Rossini’s Messe Solennelle for late June before finalising its preparation for the Verdi Requiem in Eastbourne on 21st September. The Chorale’s rehearsal base is Reigate, Surrey, where it was founded and continues to host its more intimate concerts in St Mary’s Church.

About you
You are a quietly confident and experienced choral singer with excellent intonation (tuning), a ready smile and an  understanding of the values of a blended choral sound. Your voice never obtrudes, but it does contribute significantly to the sectional sound, and your knowledge of the music and confidence in your ability encourage those around you. You probably play an instrument, and although you won’t use them in this performance, you have strong music-reading skills. You have sung the Verdi Requiem several times under different conductors and are at ease with the Latin text as well as knowing the music. You are intensely responsive to a conductor and enjoy the varying interpretations and priorities of different conductors. You watch the conductor like a hawk and understand what is being asked for.

Is there an audition?
For regular membership of The English Arts Chorale, there is an audition, but for this special project, instead of an audition, your section leader will keep a kindly eye (and ear) on how you are doing, especially the first couple of times you rehearse with us.

How many rehearsals must I attend?
You will have sung the Verdi Requiem before, but even so, learning to sing it from memory is a further challenge best met by learning as part of a friendly and supportive team. So please resist the temptation to aim for the minimum number of rehearsals – unless, of course, you already know it from memory. Having said that, if you have sung the Verdi Requiem before, you regard yourself as a highly experienced singer, and you have the music completely secure, you may attend the minimum FOUR Reigate rehearsals. Those rehearsals need to include the morning and afternoon “Golden Key” rehearsal in Reigate on Saturday 13th September (and of course, the orchestral rehearsal in Eastbourne on the concert day, Sunday 21st September.) Please note that this is NOT a “turn up and sing” opportunity.

When and where are the rehearsals?
Core rehearsals in Reigate, Surrey
If you live within a manageable distance of Reigate, by far the best plan is to attend the English Arts Chorale’s programme of CORE REHEARSALS on Monday evenings at 7.30pm in Reigate, beginning on Monday 30th June at Wray Common School, Kendal Close, Reigate, RH2 0LR.
“Satellite” rehearsals – Sussex, Suffolk - and your locality?
If a group of singers in a particular locality are keen to take part but are not within easy reach of Reigate, Satellite rehearsals might be the answer. Satellite rehearsals are already planned in Suffolk, and are under discussion in Eastbourne. Singers entering the project by Satellite rehearsals are likely to have sung the Verdi Requiem at least TWICE before and MUST attend the minimum of FOUR Reigate rehearsals including the KEY rehearsals listed below. Ideally, you will try for more than just four. Satellite rehearsals will need one of the participants to act as volunteer local organiser who will book a rehearsal venue for the satellite rehearsals. If you plan to use the Satellite Rehearsals, you will find it helpful to attend some of the Core Rehearsals (in Reigate) as well if that is possible for you.

Key rehearsals (in Reigate - venue tbc)
Please plan to attend the “Key” rehearsals as below and of course the day of the concert in Eastbourne:
•    Monday 21 July - key rehearsal “silver key” rehearsal  - Wray Common Primary School RH2 0LR
•    Saturday 13 September  “golden key” rehearsal    (Please prioritise this all-day rehearsal) - Reigate Park Church RH2 8BD
•    Monday 15 September – “silver key” rehearsal - Wray Common Primary School RH2 0LR
•    Wednesday 17 September – reserve date, please keep clear

Fees
The participation fee is just £72 (£30 for under-30s).

Thank you
Thank you for your interest in the 2025 Verdi Challenge. Please complete the registration form below. If you have any queries, feel free to contact me on leslie.olive@englisharts.org