Our story

Epsom Male Voice Choir was founded in 1983 by Sam Simons, with Nigel Brooks as its first Musical Director, and just six founder members who came in response to Sam’s advert in the local paper.

 

The choir grew slowly to about 25 singers, a size at which it stayed until the mid-90s. Early rehearsals took place at Rosebery School in Epsom followed by a move to the Rising Sun in Heathcote Road and then to the United Reformed Church Hall in Ewell, the choir’s current home.

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In 1988 Nigel was succeeded by Martin Stuart and in 1995 Neil MacKay took over as MD. Neil led the choir for almost 20 years, during which time it greatly expanded in size, developed a wide-ranging repertoire, and took place in many exciting concerts, competitions and other events.

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Ian Assersohn took over from Neil in 2014 and under his leadership, along with assistant MD Juliet Hornby and accompanist Lynda Chang, the choir has continued to flourish and to develop ever-higher musical aspirations.

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Noteworthy events in the choir’s history have include tour to Epsom’s twin town, Chantilly in France, Krakow in Poland and Wales; singing at the Festival Hall and Albert Hall in London; at the Brighton and Woking Festivals, and multiple visits to the biennial Cornwall International Male Choral Festival. At this event in 2015 we sang at the opening gala concert in Truro Cathedral, a performance which featured the premiere of Ian’s Festival Composers’ Competition winning song Crossing The Bar (see our virtual choir video), still a firm favourite in our repertoire.

 

In 2016 the choir joined forces with Leatherhead Choral Society and Farnham Youth Choir to give the first performance of Ian’s WW1 cantata Dies Irae at Dorking Halls and in 2018 they performed it once again, this time at Epsom College.

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During the covid lockdown the choir rehearsed online and recorded a number of virtual choir videos, including collaborating with Leatherhead Choral Society on a joyful song of Ian's called The Rook Ascending. This vide has had over 7,000 views.

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In 2023 the choir celebrated its 40th anniversary in a number of ways, including an exciting commission, Rise Up, from composer-conductor Edward-Rhys Harry, who set a poem by John Masefield