A selection from the GCC Archive

Half a Lifetime Singing with the GCC

by Peter Terry (founding member)

When I was asked to write a few words about Guildford Chamber Choir and what it has meant to me over the years, I struggled to know where to begin. There has been such a wealth of memories since Richard Fox invited seventeen of us to perform in the first concert in June 1980. My late wife, Ingrid, was also a founder member as is Diana, our current Chair. Apart from Richard we are the only original singers still in the choir although John Bawden, our conductor for that first concert, now sings with us regularly. Richard and John are responsible for so much of our enjoyment over the years - and for my longevity!

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John Bawden conducts a rehearsal for our Inaugural Concert in June 1980.  Photograph from the Surrey Advertiser.

Peter Wright's final concert after 11 years as Principal Conductor. February 1994. 

We sang Bach's St. John Passion with soloists (not shown) Elizabeth Coupe (soprano), Mervyn Collins as the Evangelist and Simon Deller as Christus.

Applause for our last concert of 2020 - Bach's St Matthew Passion with Max Barley in March.

Some of our previous conductors: 

L to R - John Bawden, Peter Wright, Stephen Farr, Philip Moore, Sebastian Forbes. 

On tour in Tuscany June 2007

Our three tenors! Jong Chong, David Pallett and Michael Clarke

GCC walkers, friends and family in 2004

Our first open workshop in St Mary's church 2012

Southwark Cathedral 2006

Simon Phillips conducting the men in a Schubert part song - summer soiree June 2005

St George's Chapel, Windsor 2002 

A Christmas Gala Concert in aid of Halow. December 2016

The choir after rehearsing for the summer concert in Old Woking. 2016.

GCC sing the Sunday services at Westminster Abbey. April 2019

Singing in St Catherine's School Chapel. 2009

Mass in Blue at St Catherine's School, Bramley with Steven Grahl, the Will Todd trio and Bethany Halliday (soprano).   May 2012.

On the steps at Holy Trinity church with our new Principal Conductor, Max Barley.  November 2018

June 2019: Our summer concert and party in the United Reformed Church.

Jeremy Summerly rehearses the choir for the Silver Jubliee concert of Handel's Israel in Egypt. 19th November 2005

Summer concert in Watts Gallery with Steven Grahl conducting. 2015

On tour in Krakow, Poland.  2005

GCC in the Entrance Hall of Loseley House 2001

Our concert in the Wieliczka Salt Mine, Poland 2005

Final dinner - Krakow 2005

Waiting in the wings before our concert with Jeremy Summerley - March 2018

Café culture - off duty in Krakow 2005

Enjoying Klezmer music in Krakow 2005

In the cloister of Salisbury Cathedral 2007

Choir tour to Caen 1992

Winchester Cathedral 2017

Party to mark Steven's 10 years as Principal Conductor after the summer concert at St Peter's church, Old Woking  2016

Rehearsing in Queen Eleanor's School

Steven Grahl conducts the final rehearsal for our 2017 summer concert in the United Reformed Church

Watts Gallery Christmas Carols 2017 with Sebastian Forbes

Rehearsing for The Creation - with the Occam Singers and Surrey Mozart Players, May 2018

St Peter's, Old Woking - the summer concert in 2016.

Max Barley at the rehearsal for the Italian Baroque concert St Nicolas's Church, March 2019

Chichester cathedral 2008

Chichester Cathedral 2018

Steven Grahl, Chairman Jim Godwin and Joanna Phillips cutting the cake at our 30th anniversary party

Another of Jim's talents!

Watts Gallery Summer concert 2015

Krakow 2005

The Drawing Room at Loseley House, September 1999

Steven Grahl in Rouen with refreshments... 2017

In Ypres after singing at the Menin Gate. 2015

Our performance of  ‘Deborah’ in 1999

Co-founder Richard Fox washing up after a choir party!

A bad hair day at rehearsal for a summer soiree at St Catherine's School, Bramley.  June 2007