Celebrating Harmony

UNITING VOICES

Next Concert – Friday, 6 December, 2024

Tickets: £15 from Sue on 07939 129293 or email tickets@whittonchoral.co.uk

JOIN US

New members are always welcome!
Join us for a rehearsal and see how it goes.

JOIN US

COMMUNITY THROUGH MUSIC

Whitton Choral (56 years old as of 2024!) is made up of a friendly, diverse group of local people and welcomes new members from any and all backgrounds, ages, and abilities.

As of 2024, we have approximately 20 members, some of whom have been singing in Whitton Choral for over 30 years!

Though we rehearse at the Whitton Baptist Church, we are not affiliated with any religious tradition or group. We do sing some ecclesiastical music, typically at the Christmas and Easter concerts, with other genres of music mixed in.

Our summer 2024 event featured Vivaldi’s Gloria and Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas”. This “from scratch” performance with singers from the local areas joining us on the day to rehearse and perform was a great success! We’ll do that again!

New members are always welcome!
There are no auditions, and there is always room for people in all parts.

We rehearse on Wednesday evenings during term time from 7.45pm to 9.45pm at Whitton Baptist Church (Hounslow Road, TW2 7BZ).

Click here to Join us!

A little history…
Whitton Choral was formed in 1968 by the Rev. Beau Brandie, the choir brought people together from a number of local churches to sing a variety of sacred and secular music. Ian McFarlane took over in 1971, leading the choir for the next 40 years until he passed on in 2009. The baton then passed to Neil Hawes until his retirement in 2022. Our current Musical Director is Leslie Anne Lewis.

SINGING IS GOOD FOR YOU!

Music Makes You Happier!

Music has an incredible power to uplift our spirits and bring happiness into our lives. It transcends language barriers and taps into our emotions, creating a direct pathway to our brains and hearts. The rhythm, melody, and lyrics of music have a profound impact on our mood and well-being – as you will, no doubt, have experienced for yourself every time you watch an intense movie!

When we listen to our favourite tunes or discover new songs that resonate with us, our brains release dopamine, one of the brain’s happy hormones. This flood of positive chemicals boost our mood, reduce stress, and increase feelings of happiness and wellbeing.

Music also has the ability to transport us to different times and places, evoking memories and emotions that elicit joy and nostalgia. Whether we’re dancing to an upbeat track or finding solace in a moving melody, music has the remarkable ability to make us happier, deepen our emotional experiences, and enhance the overall quality of our lives.

Singing Makes You Healthier!

Singing has long been recognized as a beneficial activity that can improve overall health and well-being. There is a growing body of evidence and research highlighting the positive effects of singing on various aspects of health. Here are some key findings:

Physical Benefits:
Respiratory System: Singing involves deep breathing, which strengthens the respiratory muscles and increases lung capacity. This can enhance oxygen intake and improve overall respiratory health.

Cardiovascular System:
Singing can improve cardiovascular fitness by increasing heart rate and blood circulation. It may also reduce blood pressure and improve heart health.

Singing is Therapy!

Music Therapy:
Singing is used in various therapeutic contexts, such as music therapy, to improve physical, emotional, and cognitive health. It can be particularly beneficial for individuals with neurological disorders, speech impairments, or mental health conditions.

Pain Management:
Singing has been found to reduce pain perception and improve coping mechanisms, potentially offering a complementary approach to pain management.

While the evidence supports the positive effects of singing on health, it is important to note that individual experiences may vary. The benefits of singing are not limited to professional or skilled singers, as anyone can enjoy the positive effects of this expressive and enjoyable activity.

Mental and Emotional Benefits

Stress Reduction:
Singing stimulates the release of endorphins, which are known as “feel-good” hormones. This can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

Mood Enhancement:
Singing can boost mood and create a sense of happiness and well-being. It promotes the release of oxytocin (a hormone associated with bonding and positive emotions) and other “happy hormones” in the brain.

Cognitive Function:
Singing requires coordination between different brain regions, promoting neural plasticity and enhancing cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and problem-solving.

Self-expression and Confidence:
Singing allows for self-expression and can boost self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-awareness.

Social Benefits:
Bonding and Connection: Singing in groups, such as choirs or community singing events, promotes social bonding, a sense of belonging, and connectedness with others.
Communication and Language Skills: Singing can improve communication skills, language development, and pronunciation. It enhances vocal projection, articulation, and linguistic abilities.

CONCERTS

We do three concerts a year, and occasionally other events, e.g. funraising for charity.

CHRISTMAS

Christmas 2024

Our next concert will be:

Bach, Bells and Bethlehem

A Feast of Words and Music for Christmas

Christmas Concert 2023
We had an almost full house for our 2023 Christmas Concert – thank you to everyone that joined us!

SPRING

Our 2024 Spring Concert was titled

“For Spring Lovers!”

Thanks again to our programme sponsors (Ultralux Whitton and Milestone Residential)

SUMMER

Summer 2024 we performed Vivaldi’s Gloria and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas “from scratch”.

Thank you to all those who came to sing, to listen and who sponsored our programme: Ultralux, Milestone Residential and EyeSmile.

Charity

In November 2021 | Grove Gardens Chapel, Richmond we sang Christmas Carols in support of conservation projects in South and West London for Habitats and Heritage.
https://www.swlondoner.co.uk/news/26112021-beautiful-christmas-charity-event-to-be-held-in-grove-gardens-chapel-richmond

Other Events

WHITTON CHORAL PEOPLE

Leslie Anne Lewis | Director of Music

Conductor and teacher, Leslie Anne Lewis, has worked with ensembles that range from groups of nursery children to professional musicians in venues ranging from the Royal Albert Hall and Winchester Cathedral to outside Tesco.

She has held university teaching posts on three continents, the most recent being as a professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Leslie’s academic interests led to a PhD on the ‘incomplete’ conductor (Royal Holloway, 2012), which explored the modern conductor’s role through the lens of socially-distributed cognition.

In recent years, much of Leslie’s work has involved providing liturgical music. The study of liturgy has led her to ask questions that have pulled her beyond musicology, a change in direction that has compelled her towards undertaking post-graduate study in theology at both Sarum College and King’s College, University of London.

Maria Levandovskaya | Accompanist

Maria Levandovskaya is a Russian-born and London based pianist and accompanist. Maria started playing the piano at the age of 6 and gave her first public performance at the age of 7. She graduated with distinction from a Music College and Conservatory in Russia. While in the College Maria won a competition to perform Mendelssohn’s piano concerto with Karelian Philharmonic orchestra in Philharmonic Hall in Petrozavodsk, Russia.

Maria received Diplomas and prizes in several competitions and festivals, she was chosen as the best student of the College to represent a region in a summer School and Masterclasses arranged by NewNames foundation for the young musicians and participated in various masterclasses in Russia, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Scotland.

After moving to London Maria received a scholarship to study at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she studied with Martin Roscoe and Caroline Palmer. She was coaching with Carole Presland, Paul Roberts, Norico Ogawa, Ralph Gottoni, Vivien Weilerstein, Michael Dussek. Maria was working at Guildhall School of Music and Drama as an accompanist with singers and string players and occasionally appears as an accompanist for students Final Recitals at Guildhall School’s Music Hall and Milton Court Concert Hall.

As well as performing alongside singers and instrumentalists, Maria is busy as a solo performer. She has regular recitals in the UK and in Russia.