Hertfordshire Chorus

Hertfordshire Chorus is one of the UK’s finest symphonic choruses and has a reputation for high-quality and passionate singing, commissioning new music, performing challenging and often rarely heard pieces as well as much-loved and well-known works.  It is at home in styles from the major classical works to jazz, music theatre, games music, rock and all points in between. David Temple MBE, one of the leading choral conductors in the country, has been its Musical Director since 2000.

The Chorus performs regularly in the UK’s major concert halls, has appeared frequently with the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, has worked with Daniele Gatti, Thomas Adès and José Carreras and has made numerous recordings.  Highlights of its engagements include Porgy & Bess with the NFM Wrocław Philharmonic under Wayne Marshall, the Game Music Festival with the Philharmonia Orchestra under Robert Kurdybacha and War Horse – The Story in Concert for BBC Radio in Coventry Cathedral. 

Recordings have included Nova! Nova! – Joy to the World! (Louis Halsey) and Codebreaker/Ode to a Nightingale (James McCarthy and Will Todd) for Signum, as well as Michael Hurd Choral Music volume 2 for Lyrita.  The Chorus has been broadcast on radio on many occasions, including on the BBC marking the Centenary of the 1918 Armistice performing Bliss Morning Heroes and Britten Ballard of Heroes, in Fauré Requiem and in a concert of Christmas music with José Carreras. Classic FM broadcast its concert celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation. On television it has provided soundtracks on a number of occasions as well as singers for programmes as varied as First Night of the Proms concerts, Spooks and The Unofficial Science of Home Alone.

The Chorus has a special fund to commission new music and under David Temple’s direction its drive to encourage young composers has produced some of the most outstanding and successful new choral music of recent years, including works by Shruthi Rajasekar, Will Todd,  James McCarthy, Roland Perrin, Orlando Gough and Howard Haigh.  The Chorus is also particularly proud of the work it does with children and young people to help encourage the next generation of choral singers and music enthusiasts.