The motto of the Damon Singers is “To sing for pleasure, for others and ourselves”. This is as true now as it was when the choir, then consisting of 16 singers, was formed in 1957 under its first director, David Carr. Currently, the choir has almost 30 members under the direction of David Cooke. We are based in Chesham, and rehearse in the White Hill Centre on Wednesday evenings.
Our repertoire consists of more than 500 pieces, mainly unaccompanied. We sing all styles of music from medieval to modern, sacred and secular, including madrigals and motets, anthems and folksongs, Victoriana, 20’s and 30’s favourites and pop music: indeed everything that can be sung in harmony with four or more parts.
We perform regularly in public, staging three or four concerts each year, including carol concerts. To gain a more detailed insight into our repertoire you can find detailed programmes and notes on some of our most recent concerts on our Concerts Page.
Every summer, we perform our renowned PUDDING CONCERT – you come and listen to us, and we provide you with more puddings than you can shake a stick at!
Our Christmas Carol Concert is also something of a local tradition attracting a large and enthusiastic audience for carols old and new accompanied by hot mince pies and mulled wine. And you will have an opportunity to sing some of the carols as well.
We usually perform to raise funds for charity. Sometimes we are invited to sing at weddings or other church services. At least one event every year raises funds for the choir, to enable us to continue buying music that will enlarge our repertoire. For many years, we were “twinned” with The Oriel Singers, a Liverpool choir, with whom we promoted joint concerts.
The Damon Singers have participated in the Sainsbury Choir of the Year competition, sung at the Liverpool Anglican cathedral, at Stowe School, at the Wodehouse, a Jacobean mansion near Wombourne, Wolverhampton and at many other venues. In 2001, our two concerts in Normandy were enthusiastically received. The choir encourages small groups of members to form their own ensembles, in which to explore and perform music outside its main repertoire, and which requires a different approach.
In addition to making music, the choir arranges a number of social events, parties, themed evenings, canal trips, etc., all of which contribute to the warm and friendly atmosphere.
For further information please contact:
Secretary: Karen van Oostrum (07910 684339)
and/or
Enquiries: info@damonsingers.co.uk