Music Director: Tim Horton
Founded in 1960 and one of the most prestigious and longest-established choral societies in the area, the Croydon Bach Choir truly embodies the spirit of musical excellence and a deep love for the choral art form. Our ensemble is comprised of dedicated singers who share a passion for singing and strive to achieve the highest levels of performance. Under the direction of our talented Music Director, Tim Horton, we tackle a diverse range of choral repertoire. For our concerts we always engage professional soloists and musicians. We are a registered charity, a member of Making Music and the National Association of Choirs, and are supported financially by the Humphrey Richardson Taylor Charitable Trust. We also welcome support from local business, either for a season or for individual concerts. If you are considering joining a choir that values high standards and takes pride in creating beautiful music with friendly, like-minded people who share your passion for music, then we welcome you to join us and experience the joy of making music together. Come to our next open rehearsal and see for yourself why the Croydon Bach Choir stands out among the rest!
Our next free open rehearsals for prospective new members will be on Wednesday, 23rd September 2026, Wednesday, 6th January 2027 and Wednesday, 14th April 2027 all at 7:30 pm.
Summer 2026 Concert Review
Croydon Bach Choir's concert at St Matthew’s Church on Saturday, 27th June 2026 unfolded under the lingering warmth of a very hot summer week. Under the steady hand of music director Tim Horton, the evening unfolded with grace and emotional depth. The first half featured John Rutter’s lyrical The Sprig of Thyme, settings of British folk songs, beautifully supported at the piano by William Munks, whose sensitive playing enhanced the music’s pastoral charm. After a convivial interval with complimentary refreshements, the programme took a bolder turn with Leonard Bernstein’s I Hate Music!, charmingly and humorously performed by the very talented and popular soprano Belinda Evans. The tricky piano accompaniment was deftly handled by Tim Horton himself, adding a personal touch to the intimate song cycle. The centrepiece of the evening, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, returned to William Munks’ assured pianism, anchoring the choir’s vibrant, rhythmic delivery. Belinda Evans once again took the spotlight for the solo, which is a role traditionally sung by a boy soprano. This departure from tradition felt more like a celebration of musical adaptability than a compromise. A minor but noticeable disruption occurred at the start of the concert when a choir member apparently sitting in the wrong chair, caused confusion. An extra chair was quickly brought in to fill the gap, but an empty chair remained further down the row, unfortunately marring the aethetics of the ensemble. The choir quickly settled again, and the music carried the evening forward with poise. The audience’s warm and sustained applause was a fitting testament to an evening of heartfelt music-making. And as a final coda to the night, football fans could head home just in time to cheer on England’s 2–0 victory over Panama, a result that added to the collective glow. In all, an evening well remembered, and mostly for the right reasons.
Forthcoming Events
We are very grateful to the Humphrey Richardson Taylor Charitable Trust for their continued support.
