The Choir
"Raise the Bar"
The Choir meets weekly throughout the season (September to May) in Holy Trinity Church, Church Street, Haddington every Wednesday from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.If you enjoy singing, why not come along and sing with us at a few rehearsals so that you get an opportunity to find out more, but click on the link below to contact the Secretary first?
The Choir has a Library of Music which is available for hire. Click on "Library" on the Menu Bar
Contact the Secretary
A Brief History
Conductor David Crisp
November 1978
A group of 8 volunteers associated with the East Lothian Music Workshop were brought together by music teacher David Crisp to sing carols in December.1979
Still together as the "Music Workshop Choir" the choir performed "Captain Noah and his floating zoo" in Haddington and Musselburgh1979-83
The Choir performed madrigals, carols, Byrd, Monteverdi, and "Israel in Egypt"1981
The Choir changed name to "Hadley Court Singers" (rehearsals were held in "Hadley Court", the home of one of the sopranos)Conductor James Robertson
1984 - 1986
Choir now has 20 singers. Performed carols, Bach, and our most ambitious piece yet, "Saint Nicholas" by Benjamin BrittenConductor Joan Bassett
1986 - 1993
Over 7 years we performed many choral classics, including "St Nicholas Mass" (Haydn), "Mass in G minor" (Vaughan Williams), "Gloria" (Vivaldi) "Missa Choralis" (Liszt), "Mass in C minor" (Mozart); also fine arrangements of Scots songs by Joan herself.Trips abroad to Aubigny 1990 and Stuttgart 1992.
The Choir won the Scottish Regional Final of the Sainsbury Choir of the Year in 1990, and went on to the Televised quarter finals in Manchester.
In October 1992 there were 46 singers - an all - time record.
Sadly, Joan died in Sept 2006
Conductor Isobel Stretton
1993 - 1996
Under Isobel the choir performed carols and readings; "The Auld Alliance" (French and Scots music); Mozart "Missa Brevis", Parry, Purcell, Tallis, and (with Philomusica) a concert of Italian-inspired music. We also sang a "St Giles at Six" concert.Conductor Jenny Sumerling
1996 - 2000
With Jenny the choir performed Leighton, Mendelssohn, Haydn, Stamford, Durufle. Two notable concerts were: in 1998 to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the siege of Haddington, and in 2000 (with The Garleton Singers) a Millenium concert "Carmina Burana" and "Zadok the Priest".Trip abroad: Aubigny 1997.
Conductor George Wilson
2000 - 2002
Christmas concert with Holy Trinity Handbells; Haydn and Mozart; "Christmas in Venice" (Gabrieli, Vivaldi, and Monteverdi); for our 25th anniversary concert Rossini "Petite Messe Solennelle", and a weekend singing visit to Glamis.Conductor Jason Orringe
2002 - 2003
The Choir under Jason sang Britten: "A Ceremony of Carols"; Vaughan Williams, Byrd, Faure, Mendelssohn, Monteverdi and Mozart.Conductor Scott Harrison
2003 - 2004
Choir now has 36 members.The Choir performed Pergolesi, Randall Thompson, Viadana, Beethoven "Mass in C" and Brahms "New Love Song Waltzes".Conductor Simon Nieminski
2004 - Now.
With Simon, so far, the choir have sung Charpentier "Messe de minuit pour Noel"; Stravinsky, Greig, Rachmaninov; a concert of Scots and French music to celebrate 40 years "twinning" relationship with Aubigny; a joint performance with St Marys Choristers; Hiawathas Wedding Feast (Coleridge-Taylor); "Vesperae Solennes de Confessore" by Mozart and we are now preparing "From the Bavarian Highlands" for our forthcoming "Anniversary Extravaganza" concert in Prestonkirk, East Linton, a new venue for the choir.Choir members about 30 and growing.
Many thanks to Marg Hall for providing this short history of the choir.
