The delightful St. Thomas-on-The Bourne Chuch played host to our summer concert on 28th June. Despite the heatwave and the competing Farnham Carnival we had a wonderful turnout of an audience who were treated to a high quality performance by the choir and members of the choir as soloists or in a small group nicknamed the "Hash Tags".

Songs introduced, or in some cases re-introduced from many years ago, into our repertoire for this concert were "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", "Shenendoah", the Welsh language hymn "Aberystwyth" and what has become a favourite of ours since being asked to sing it at the Beerex Festival, "Wild Rover". Along with these were the popular items "Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines", "Speed Your Journey", "Stout Hearted Men", "What Would I Do Without My Music", "Seventy-Six Trombones", "Londonderry Air", "Yesterday", "Bring Him Home", "On The Street Where You Live" and "Wellerman". In what has now become a standard part of our concerts for our "Choral Hug" we sang "My Lord What A 'Mornin". The "Hash Tags", comprising a small group of choristers, performed "Steal Away", Down Among the Deadmen" and "Swansea Town", and talented solists gave us "Some Enchanted Evening" (Dave Sillett), "When The Night Wind Howls" (Jonathan Davies), and "Answer Me My Love" (Roger Douglas).

An appeal by our supported charity for this concert, Sebastian's Action Trust, was strengthened by the comments from our Musical Director, Philip Viveash-Brainch, who had a personal affinity with its beginnings. The charity supports families of seriously ill children and was inspired by Sebastian, a brave young boy who tragically lost his battle with cancer at just nine years old, who Philip was proud to have taught.

A wonderful evening of brilliant music at a location we are bound to return to!

The mini concert at the Phoenix Arts Festival at Bordon and Whitehall’s ‘The Shed’ on Sunday 6th July went down a (metaphorical) storm. We crossed our fingers for a dry spell and we got it! Our half hour show was a treat for the audience and of course, a round of drinks to celebrate afterwards!

Our AGM on 17th September saw a changing of the guard.

After 14 years of acting as Chairman to the choir, Peter Viveash stepped down and handed over the baton to newly elected Chair, Mark Kusionowicz.

This momentous occasion was celebrated with the presentation of a solid silver engraved tankard.
Making the presentation on behalf of a grateful choir, Mark said "Over 14 years Peter has led a changing Committee of trustees managing this choir through a variety of unseen and difficult times including:
•    A pandemic that meant we couldn’t meet in person or perform to an audience in person for a couple of years
•    The transition between three very different Musical Directors to arrive at the perfect candidate that he even had to produce himself in advance 50 years ago
•    Actively rebuilding the choir post Covid when many others fell by the wayside. Many of you will not realise how close we were to joining them. At the start of 2023 we were down to 28 members. We are now double that size and hopefully will continue to grow."

 Despite retiring as Chairman Peter is continuing to work for the choir in his role as concert secretary.
 
 

At our rehearsal on 6th October we presented the donations from our summer concert to Community Partnerships Fundraiser for the Sebastian’s Action Trust charity, Louise Gough. 

Sebastian’s Action Trust supports families of seriously ill children, offering emotional, practical, and social care through every stage of their journey. It offers respite breaks for families at their specialist centre in Hampshire where they can enjoy support and fun activities.

Making the presentation choir Chair, Mark Kusionowicz, said “We always love to support small local charities, but Sebastian’s Action Trust are particularly close to the heart of our Musical Director, Phillip Viveash-Brainch . The charity supports families of seriously ill children and was inspired by Sebastian, a brave young boy who tragically lost his battle with cancer at just nine years old, who Philip was proud to have taught, so we are especially proud to be able to support their work.”

Receiving the donation, Louise Gough thanked the choir for their wonderful concert and described the great summer of activities that they were able to provide for their clients supported by the donations from the concert.
 

We are delighted to announce our annual Christmas concert, taking place at High Cross Church, Camberley, on Thursday 18th December.

Audiences are invited to join the choir for an evening of music, warmth and festive spirit, featuring a lively and varied programme that ranges from show tunes and folk favourites to classic male voice standards — all topped off with a generous sprinkling of Christmas cheer.

This year’s concert will raise funds for the Fountain Centre, a Guildford-based charity that provides emotional and practical support to cancer patients and their families. A collection will be taken during the evening to support the charity’s vital work.

Event details:
Date: Thursday 18th December
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Venue: High Cross Church, Knoll Road, Camberley
Tickets: Available online at www.trybooking.com/uk/FKHA

“We’re thrilled to be performing again this Christmas and to be supporting such an important local cause,” said Chairman of Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men’s Choir, Mark Kusionowicz. “The concert is always a highlight of our year — a chance to celebrate music, community and the true spirit of Christmas.”

So come and enjoy the music, the company, and the Christmas spirit — and help make a difference for those facing cancer this festive season.