"MP Gregory Stafford joins Waverley Singers for Elijah workshop"

The following review appeared online in the Farnham Herald on 22 January 2025

The Waverley Singers welcomed a special guest for their workshop exploring Mendelssohn’s wonderful oratorio Elijah at St Thomas-on-The Bourne Church on Saturday January 18. Farnham and Bordon MP Gregory Stafford (centre of picture) joined them for the last two sessions of the day and turned out to be no mean singer himself - as one would expect from a former choral scholar! After the event the MP thanked the choir for inviting him to take part, adding that the occasion had been “great fun” and that the singers had made “a really impressive sound!”

The workshop was attended by 120 singers, half of whom were guests from other choirs. Many had come from far afield to take part, proving the popularity of these ‘come and sing’ events, which are now an annual feature in the choir’s calendar. It was a fun day for all, but also allowed choir members to become more familiar with Mendelssohn’s great work, which they will be performing in St Andrew’s Garrison Church in Aldershot on Saturday March 22 with professional soloists and orchestra in what will be the first concert in this, their 70th anniversary year.

Throughout the day the choir's conductor, Richard Pearce, ably supported on the piano by the choir’s regular accompanist, Jakob Rothoff, led the choir through the work with his customary expertise and enthusiasm. Regular breaks for drinks and the traditional feast of cakes provided by choir members kept everyone's energy levels high!  A run-through at the end allowed the singers to give a mini-performance of the work, and everyone departed feeling suitably exercised, but also exhilarated, by this wonderful music.

Tickets for the concert are available on waverleysingers.com