Choiroke 2016 concert at Dorking Halls
Last Saturday I had the pleasure of once again photographing the Choiroke concerts at Dorking Halls.
Choiroke is an annual event bringing together amateur choirs from around Surrey to sing in a concert – with audience participation (hence the “-oke” part of the name!).
This year there were actually two concerts – one for schools choirs in the afternoon and then the adult choirs performed in the evening.
Choiroke is devised and run by Louise Camby of BRAVO Networking, and is now in its sixth year – and going from strength to strength. As well as being a lot of fun for both the participants and the audience, the event raises money for good causes. This year the aim was to raise funds to reinstate a workplace choir at East Surrey Hospital and to raise money for partner charity the Orpheus Centre.
Sir Richard Stilgoe and Orpheus
The Orpheus Centre was founded by Sir Richard Stilgoe in 1998, with the aim of providing young people with learning and/or physical impairments between the ages of 18 and 25 with a supportive environment where they can learn skills to help them lead independent lives in the community.
Sir Richard brought along two of his former Orpheus students who each performed a song, to great acclaim by the audience.
St George’s Day theme
As April 23rd happens to be St. George’s Day, there was a very patriotic feel to the proceedings, starting with the singing of the National Anthem in tribute to the 90th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen earlier in the week, and ending with rousing renditions of Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory, and Rule Britannia. Not only that, but one of the songs sung by each choir had a “George” connection.
Red and white Cross of St. George flags were provided for the audience and choirs alike, and conductor Sean Peters sported a very suitable red and white waistcoat for the occasion!
It was a wonderful evening and I was happy to be there to document it.
Here’s a selection of just a few of my favourite images.
Many thanks and congratulations to all those who took part in the Choiroke 2016 concert at Dorking Halls!
