Gloria!

On Sunday 8 December, Pamoja Hall in Sevenoaks was transformed by the extraordinary sounds from our wonderful concert - Gloria! – a celebration of collaboration, talent, and the joy of music. The concert brought together Friends of the Vox Artistic Advisor James Meaders’ three choirs - Hurst Green Singers, Vox Populi, and Vox Anima Chamber Choir - for a truly memorable evening.

The programme opened with Mozart’s Regina Caeli, performed by Hurst Green Singers, setting an uplifting and celebratory tone. Vox Populi followed with a moving rendition of the Kyrie and Sanctus from Heather Sorenson’s Requiem, which resonated deeply with the audience. A standout moment of the evening was the world premiere of Dan Forrest’s Upper Voices arrangement of Angels We Have Heard on High performed by Vox Anima Chamber Choir with grace and artistry. The centrepiece of the programme was Karl Jenkins’ Gloria, performed by the massed choir and featuring soloist Hannah Pinney-Thomson, whose voice captivated all. The evening also included Dan Forrest’s beautifully arranged Silent Night, performed by Vox Anima Chamber Choir, as well as stirring arrangements of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and Joy to the World by Taylor Scott Davis, performed by the combined choirs - ending the concert on a truly festive note.

The success of Gloria! was built on the enthusiastic support of our community. In the months leading up to the concert, we hosted a Come and Sing event in Sevenoaks, which not only brought local singers together to share their love of music but also raised vital funds to support this performance. We are grateful to everyone who participated and contributed to making this evening possible. This collaborative concert was also made possible by the generous support of The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust. This grant enabled us to bring this ambitious project to life, and we are deeply appreciative of their ongoing commitment to supporting music and the arts.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to all the musicians, including the talented orchestral players and accompanists, whose dedication brought these works to life. We are especially grateful to Artistic Advisor James Meaders for his leadership and vision.

Finally, thank you to everyone who joined us in the audience. Your enthusiasm and support inspire us to continue creating opportunities for music to unite and enrich our community.

Here’s to many more evenings of shared musical joy!