October Concert 2024 - Great and Most Enjoyable Music-Making
What an excellent concert! Probably the best I have attended since I stopped singing with the choir.
I think the orchestra added a lot, they were really good, but it was not just that.
The choir sang well with commitment, especially in Zadok; the first entry blew me away!
... Andrew's direction was very sympathetic throughout ..., and the soprano soloist really impressed both myself and guests. She seemed so young and will surely go far. All in all great and most enjoyable music making.
- Previous Choir Member
October Concert 2024 - Big Smiles for First Concert
I have received very positive reviews from four people - for two of them, it was their first concert!
Big smiles on their faces and a feeling of real enjoyment - a very good concert in every way!
- Choir Member
October Concert 2024 - Highest Quality
What an amazing evening!
Last night was the highest quality from the choir, the soloists and musicians!!
We loved it, and my mum made a friend chatting to a lady from Bridport sat next to her!!
We will definitely be coming on 16th December, so as soon as tickets are available let me know and I will buy in advance. Thanks again for the invite - just fantastic !x
- Neighbour of Choir Member
October Concert 2024 - Soloists and Choir So Good
Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of Saturday's performance with the Fareham Philharmonic Choir.
I enjoyed playing so much - the soloists and the choir were so good!
Please do keep my details on file - I'd be delighted to play alongside you again if the opportunity arises.
Warmest wishes for the rest of the season!
- Orchestra Member
October Concert 2024 - Absolutely Fabulous
Absolutely fabulous concert last Saturday - congratulations and thanks.
- MD Guest
Review of our Christmas Concert, 2023
‘Brilliantly Beautiful and Bright': Fareham's Philharmonic Choir Celebrates Christmas.
Fareham's Philharmonic choir celebrated Christmas in style on Saturday evening (16th) with a magical display of powerful pieces to classic carols.
A 60 strong choir, led by musical director Andrew Cleary, got together for an evening of angelic entertainment at the Holy Trinity Church, Fareham. With the choirs 125th year anniversary just around the corner, they wanted to put on a spectacular show.
The audience were treated to solos from the amazing Chris Williams, who is a bass-baritone soloist, singing with the choir for the first time. The show was opened by Vaughan Williams' fantasia on Christmas carols which was accompanied by the smooth, peaceful sounds of the organ, played by the talented Sachin Gunga.
Musical director, Cleary, brilliantly engaged with the audience, encouraging us to join in with classic carols alongside the choir. The congregation were happy to oblige and were up and down from their seats throughout the evening. Among the crowd included the Mayor of Fareham who watched on from the pews and joined in with the carols.
Soloist, Williams, told me how much of a pleasure it was to sing with the choir, but also, he mentioned how difficult some of the songs were to perfect. His voice however turned out to be an operatic masterpiece and filled the church hall.
The interval saw the audience and choir indulge in mince pies and wine and then we were straight back to the action with a spine-tingling performance of Joy to the World. The singing was split up with a few readings from Christmas tales to humorous poems which gave the show an extra bit of fun.
The entertainment was finished off with a choral version of the classic carol, We Wish you a Merry Christmas and ended with the audience of just over a hundred giving a standing ovation to what was a spectacular evening of Christmas joy and outstanding voices.
Lots of the choir members I spoke to, told me how much the choir meant to them and how they've seen the group grow over recent years. Some mentioned about the struggles of rehearsing during covid using zoom and the drop in numbers that brought. Others spoke about the recent growth since covid seeing about 60 members weekly.
- Isaac Maddock (a student journalist)
