2007 was a very special year for Chipperfield Choral Society for it was the year that celebrated its Diamond Jubilee. On December 8, St Paul’s Church was filled to capacity for two performances of the Christmas Concert, ‘O Holy Night’, and the choir conducted by their musical director, Delia Meehan, gave an uplifting performance of Christmas music by Rutter, Hendrie and Rachmaninov. At the organ, Nicholas King produced a solo performance of In Dulci Jubilo by J S Bach. Alan Taylor conducted the choir as they sang A Birthday Carol which he had written in celebration of the society’s jubilee. The concert was a joy to attend and justly joined the tradition of Christmas concerts which are a feature of the society’s annual programme.
The highlight of the year took place in June at St John’s Church, Boxmoor, when the choir gave their Diamond Jubilee Concert. For the occasion the choir were joined by their patron, Emma Bell, a soprano of international repute, and her beautiful voice added sparkle to an evening of sensational music. James Fussey gave a superb performance on the trumpet and Emma Bell joined the choir in a marvellous rendition of Alma Virgo by Johan N Hummel. J S Bach’s Suite for Unaccompanied Cello was played to perfection by Anna Beryl. Richard Edwards paid a special tribute to the choir and to Delia Meehan, their musical director for the past 16 years. The daughter of Joyce Herman Allen, who founded the society in 1947, joined the audience for the evening and it was an absolute privilege and joy to partake in such a wonderful celebration.
Terry Simmonds