Church Services

Surrey Cantata at Southwark Cathedral, 2011

The choir sings at various church services, most regularly at Southwark Cathedral where they have annually sung at a Sunday Eucharist and Evensong.

There have been two festive Evensongs at Holy Trinity Church, Guildford: in September 2011, celebrating the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible, with music from that period (Gibbons, Weelkes, Tomkins); and in September 2013, part of 'Trinity250', marking the 250th anniversary of the re-building and re-opening of that church, with music drawn from the mid eighteenth century (Joseph Key, John Ebdon, John Randall, Greene and Boyce). Of this latter service, Jonathan Hedgecock, priest-in-charge of the service, wrote:

'A huge thank you to you and to the Surrey Cantata for yesterday evening, which was so very much appreciated by everyone present. The music sounded wonderful, and we were so pleased with the work you'd been able to do to bring us Joseph Key as the Introit. As I said to you afterwards, me personal spine-tingling moment was in the Greene Nunc dimittis, but there was so much to treasure in the whole service.
The choir were superb, and it was so good to have fantastic singers who were also completely at home with the logistics of cathedral-style Evensong. To hear a specialised repertoire of the period performed liturgically and to such a high standard made the worship exactly what we had hoped for, for our celebratory service.'

Smaller forces, selected from Surrey Cantata, have often sung at special services such as weddings and funerals, in particular at the churches of East and West Clandon where Sebastian Forbes is organist. Here is a selection of characteristic written comments:

'We would like to thank you and the choir for a splendid service last Friday. The organ playing was excellent and the choir sounded perfect.' (Memorial Service, East Clandon, November 2011)

'I just wanted to say a massive thank you to you and the choir. It all sounded amazing on Friday. Thank you so much for your help in putting the day together.'(Wedding, West Clandon, April 2012)

'Thank you so much for all the lovely music for our wedding yesterday. The choir were truly amazing and we have had so many comments about all of the music during the ceremony. We especially loved the Hallelujah Chorus at the end!' (West Clandon, September 2012)

'We just wanted to drop you a note to say a big thank you for being a part of our wedding day. We also really appreciate your help to the build-up to the day and your advice on what music to choose, etc. Everything on the day was absolutely perfect - you did an amazing job and the choir were just brilliant. We've had so many compliments from our guests on the music. We loved every piece and just wish we could listen to all over again! Please pass on our thanks to the Surrey Cantata members - they were wonderful.' (West Clandon, September 2012)

'Just a quick note to thank you so much, and Surrey Cantata, for singing so beautifully at our wedding - it was lovely knowing that music wasn't going to be something we had to worry about on the day.' (Chilworth Priory, August 2013)

'Thank you so much for the organ playing and for accompanying the violin solo… We really appreciate the time and effort you gave to make their day special.' (wedding, West Clandon, June 2013)

'We were so pleased with all of the wedding service and were delighted with the two pieces suing by members of Surrey Cantata. Your arrangement of Amazing Grace was superb.' (wedding, West Horsley, September 2014)

'Thank you so much for playing the organ and for singing so beautifully at our wedding… the music throughout the ceremony was perfect.' (wedding, East Clandon, August 2016)