Southern Voices is excited to launch its 2024 concert season celebrating its ruby anniversary in style. 

A 40th anniversary is a big achievement and the choir’s popularity has endured through the years. 

Their last two concerts sold out, and they predict that 2024 will be a similar success. 

Conductor Jamal Sutton has created five events, starting with a concert featuring a 40-voice part piece which is rarely performed. 

Spem in alium by Thomas Tallis is a work written to impress the court of Queen Elizabeth I that requires eight choirs, each with five voice parts. The choir will perform it standing surrounding their audience at St Cross on March 23 at 7.30pm.

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Anyone can join in the 40th anniversary celebrations with a chance to 'Come and Sing' with the choir on May 4 at St Paul’s Church in Fulflood. Jamal will lead a workshop that will guide people in singing enjoyable and rewarding pieces from the English choral tradition, culminating in a free concert in the church.

The centrepiece of the year will be the 40th anniversary gala concert and reception on July 13, in St Paul’s Church at 6pm. Early booking will be essential. 

They will be performing timeless classics of Vivaldi’s Gloria and JS Bach’s Magnificat will be followed by a reception with drinks, canapes and musical surprises. 

In the autumn the choir will leave the city to sing a concert and services at Wells Cathedral in Somerset on the weekend of October 25-27. The anniversary year will close with their ever-popular Christmas with Southern Voices on December 21, in the Chapel of St Cross. 

Royal harpist Alis Huws will accompany the choir in Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols in addition to the usual festive treats.

For more information, visit southern-voices.co.uk.