Reviews and News
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. There was a minor but awkward delay to the start of the concert when a seating error amongst the choir caused confusion and extra chair had to be brought in, but an empty chair then remained further down the row, marring the aethetics of the ensemble. The choir quickly settled again, and the music carried the evening forward with poise. 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. 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.
Spring 2026 Concert Review
A truly radiant celebration of choral excellence! On 21st March 2026, St Matthew’s Church in Croydon resonated with joy and precision as the Croydon Bach Choir delivered a luminous performance of Bach’s and Rutter’s Magnificats. Under the assured direction of Tim Horton and with sensitive support from pianist William Munks, the ensemble balanced warmth and clarity throughout. The highlight of the evening was the exquisite trio Suscepit Israël puerum suum from Bach’s setting, a moment of hushed beauty, sung with angelic blend and purity by Belinda Evans, Jenni Harper, and Olivia Bell. Their seamless phrasing and gentle expressiveness were unforgettable. The choir’s command of Rutter’s vibrant, intricate rhythms was masterful, energetic yet precise. Thomas Kelly and Bruno Loxton added strength and richness in their solos, anchoring the sound with dignity. With a full church and rapt attention from start to finish, this was a concert that uplifted, inspired, and showcased the very best of local choral music. A night to remember!
Mahler's 8th Symphony
On Sunday, 8th February 2026, singers of the Croydon Bach Choir were invited to perform in a powerful and moving performance of Mahler’s monumental Symphony No 8, “The Symphony of a Thousand”, at the Fairfield Halls. Under the inspiring direction of acclaimed conductor, composer, and orchestrator Tom Kilworth, and alongside the Mystic Orchestra, our members and other skilled amateur singers embraced the immense scale and emotional depth of this extraordinary work. It was a privilege and an unforgettable experience to contribute to such a bold and radiant celebration of choral and orchestral music. We’re deeply grateful to Tom for this opportunity, as well as for his visionary leadership and commitment to musical excellence. The concert also featured the talented Trinity Boys Choir and soloists Jacqueline Yu, Victoria Armillotta, Jessica Norton, Cassandra Manning, Natasha Elliot, Thomas Elwin, Alex Jones and Peter Coleman. Net proceeds from the concert are being donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.
Christmas 2025 Concert Review
Croydon Bach Choir’s St Nicholas Day concert on Saturday, 6th December 2025 at St Matthew’s Church was a radiant celebration of storytelling and seasonal spirit. Their performance of Haydn’s Saint Nicholas Mass was crisp and joyful, with Tim Horton drawing bright, balanced tones from choir and soloists. After the interval, during which complimentary drinks and mince pies were served, the choir performed Britten’s Saint Nicolas Cantata, a dramatic work telling the story of the the life of Saint Nicholas. Ronan Busfield was magnificent in the title role, conveying both strength and vulnerability, whilst the three young choristers from Croydon Minster brought touching innocence to the Pickled Boys. Jenny Bacon (soprano), Anne Jones (mezzo soprano), Peter Brooke (bass), and William Munks (piano accompanist) all performed with poise and expression. The audience’s standing ovation felt earned and heartfelt.
Tim Horton at the Cenotaph
On Sunday, 9th November 2025 Tim Horton, led the Chapel Royal Choir at the Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph in the presence of His Majesty the King. Once again, our fabulous Music Director has made us very proud!
Tim Horton at the Vatican
We at the Croydon Bach Choir are extremely proud of our Music Director, Tim Horton, who led the Chapel Royal Choir at the Sistine Chapel for a special service attended by His Majesty King Charles, Her Majesty Queen Camilla and His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, on Thursday, 23rd October 2025. The historic service marked the joining of hands between the Catholic church and the Church of England in a celebration of ecumenism. The King's Chapel Royal and St. George’s Chapel (Windsor) choirs performed Thomas Tallis’, If ye love me. The Choir of the Sistine Chapel and Lay Clerks from Windsor also sung two Psalms together. As a choir that has been fortunate enough to benefit from Tim's exceptional leadership and talent for many years, we were thrilled to see him achieve such an impressive milestone in his career. Tim's dedication to musical excellence has made him an invaluable asset to both the Croydon Bach Choir, and his ability to bring out the best in his singers is truly remarkable. We are honoured to have him as our Music Director and look forward to continuing to make music together under his guidance. Congratulations, Tim, on this prestigious achievement!
ABBA Singing Day: A Fun and Fabulous Success!
On Saturday, October 4th, 2025, the Croydon Bach Choir embarked on a new with our first ever non classical music Singing Day. This event brought a fresh and energetic vibe to our community, proving that the love for music and camaraderie transcends genres. The day was made even more special by the dynamic duo of Tom Chapman and Duncan White, our guest Musical Director and Accompanist. Their talent, enthusiasm, and boundless energy were contagious, inspiring participants to give their all and create beautiful music together. Tom and Duncan's expertise shone through as they guided us through ABBA's iconic hits with finesse and flair. The joy and excitement were palpable as our choir members fully embraced the ABBA spirit, with some even donning dazzling costumes reminiscent of the iconic Swedish group. The room was filled with laughter, singing, and the undeniable sense that this was a day to remember. Participants left the event with beaming smiles and a renewed appreciation for the power of music to bring people together. The overwhelming positive feedback we received is a testament to the success of this inaugural event, and we couldn't be more grateful to everyone who made it possible. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Tom and Duncan for sharing their talent and passion with us, and to our wonderful choir members for their dedication and willingness to try something new.
Summer 2025 Concert Review
Croydon Bach Choir delivered a captivating performance at St. Matthew's Church, showcasing their impressive range and skill through a diverse repertoire, despite the sweltering heat, with temperatures having soared to 33 degrees that day in Croydon. The first half of the concert featured Elgar's choral gem, The Music Makers, with soloist Belinda Evans' stunning vocals adding depth and emotion to the piece. The choir's passion and dedication shone through as they returned for the second half of the concert. The audience was treated to Chilcott's vibrant Little Jazz Mass and the enchanting "Songs and Cries of London Town." The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Julian Empett's soul-stirring rendition of the solo part in Vaughan Williams' Five Mystical Songs. The Croydon Bach Choir's commitment to their craft was evident throughout the concert, and the appreciative audience was a testament to their talent and hard work. In summary, it was a memorable evening of music and camaraderie, a true celebration of the human spirit's ability to transcend even the most challenging of circumstances.
Spring 2025 Concert Review
On the evening of 22 March 2025, St Matthew's Church was filled to the brim for Croydon Bach Choir's performance of Edward Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius, a concert which proved to be an unforgettable experience. Under the skilful direction of conductor Tim Horton, the Croydon Bach Choir, accompanied by the wonderful Lambeth Orchestra, delivered a powerful rendition of Elgar's masterpiece. The choir showcased impressive range and depth, tackling the challenging score with ease, while the orchestra provided a rich, nuanced backdrop that brought the music to life. Ronan Busfield shone as Gerontius, effortlessly conveying the character's emotional journey with his expressive voice and impressive range. Rebekah Niesser-Jones brought grace and warmth to the role of the Angel, while Julian Empett showcased his versatility and prowess in the dual roles of the Priest and the Angel of the Agony. The venue itself, St Matthew's Church, provided the perfect setting for the performance. The church's acoustics beautifully enhanced the music, allowing the audience to fully appreciate the intricacies of Elgar's composition. Overall, the Croydon Bach Choir's performance of The Dream of Gerontius was a resounding success. The talented ensemble, under the direction of Tim Horton, paid homage to Elgar's work with passion and precision, resulting in a truly memorable concert experience.
London Mozart Players' 2024 Christmas Concert
The London Mozart Players' Christmas concert held Saturday, 14th December 2024 at St John’s in Upper Norwood was, once again, a wonderful and well-attended event and the Croydon Bach Choir were thrilled and honoured to be invited to participate again for yet another year. The London Mozart Players’ brass players were absolutely outstanding, as always. A special mention must be made of Father John from St John's, whose welcoming remarks, humorous introductions and jokes added an extra layer of warmth and charm to the proceedings. The overall atmosphere was one of joy, camaraderie, and celebration.
Christmas 2024 Concert Review
Croydon Bach Choir's Christmas concert on Saturday, 7th December 2024 at St Matthew's Church was a festive treat for the ears, featuring a delightful mix of classic and contemporary choral works. Under the expert direction of Tim Horton, the choir, as always, gave a polished and engaging performance. The first half of the programme comprised the beautiful Messe de Minuit pour Noel by Charpentier, as well as the haunting In Terra Pax by Finzi. In the second half the choir performed Britten's A Ceremony of Carols and Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on Christmas Carols. The two professional soloists, Belinda Evans (soprano) and Julian Empett (baritone) both achieved standout performances. Despite the inclement weather, the church was packed with enthusiastic audience members, who were treated to complimentary festive refreshments during the interval. The choir's attention to detail and professional organisation made for a seamless and enjoyable experience from start to finish. Overall, the concert was a resounding success, and a testament to the power of choral music to bring people together in celebration.
St Matthew's Church Defibrillator
On 16th June 2024, the Croydon Bach Choir's generosity and commitment to community wellbeing were celebrated when the Archdeacon of Croydon, Greg Prior, blessed the newly installed defibrillator at a special service St Matthew's Church, our regular rehearsal and concert venue.
The purchase of this life-saving device, made possible by the financial contribution of the Croydon Bach Choir, along with other hirers of the church, will benefit church visitors and the general public alike.
The Croydon Bach Choir is proud to have contributed to the safety and health of our local community and hope this defibrillator serves as a symbol of our heartfelt dedication.
