Our music aficionado Ian Codd knows exactly where to go for the best classical music in and around Dorking
Christmas is here, bringing good cheer
to young and old, meek and the bold
Ding, dong, ding, dong, that is their song
With joyful ring, all caroling!
Much of the music on offer this month has (of course) a Christmas theme – though Watermill Jazz is taking its usual rest during December. It will be back in the New Year – as will you, I hope!
Have a very Merry Christmas!
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Dorking Halls
Dorking Halls has a West End Christmas with the Show Choir and guests. They will perform a variety of songs from favourite West End shows, including Mamma Mia and Les Miserables, plus other Christmas music.
The Halls also present several event screenings this month, both opera and ballet - some of them live and some of them recorded performances.
First comes The Mikado (Gilbert & Sullivan) from the English National Opera, followed by The Lady of Camellias from the Bolshoi Ballet with music by Chopin, the opera double bill Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci from the Royal Opera House, and then two performances of the Christmas favourite, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, from the Royal Ballet and also from the Bolshoi Ballet.
The Mikado screening, December 3 at 7.05pm, £17.50
The Lady of Camellias screening, December 6 at 3pm, £17.50
Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci screening, December 13 at 2pm, £17.50
A West End Christmas, December 10 at 7.30pm, £15-18
The Nutcracker Royal Ballet screening, December 16 at 7.15pm, £17.50
The Nutcracker Bolshoi Ballet screening, December 20 at 1.30pm, £17.50
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St Martin's Church - Dorking
This month’s usual lunchtime recital at St Martin’s will be given by organist Roy Woodhams, the rector of Cranleigh Church.
Guest lunchtime recital, December 5 at 12pm, free
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Leith Hill Place
Christmas is being celebrated at Leith Hill Place, the childhood home of Ralph Vaughan Williams high on the slopes of Leith Hill, with Christmas music, carols, mince pies and mulled wine around a cosy fire. There are concerts at 11.30am and 2pm, with singing and other activities in between.
Christmas concerts, December 5-6 at 11.30am – 2pm, £12
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Dorking United Reformed Church
The Ladybirds Choir, directed by Helena Twentyman, is also giving a Christmas concert, with a mixture of traditional carols and some light-hearted musical numbers, including a couple of songs in memory of Cilla Black and Val Doonican. The concert will be followed by tea and mince pies. Profits will be given to Dyscover, a charity providing support to people with aphasia.
Ladybirds choir, December 12 at 3pm, £7.50
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St Joseph's Catholic Church
Dorking Choral Society presents its Christmas concert at St Joseph’s church – as well as a range of Christmas music and carols, the concert will include the results of the choir’s inaugural Christmas carol competition.
A large number of entries have been received, and the short-listed finalist carols will be performed at the concert, with the winner and runner-up decided by the two distinguished adjudicators on the evening – Judith Weir, Master of the Queen’s Music, and Stephen Jackson, musical director of the BBC Symphony Chorus. This should be a very special occasion! The concert will, as usual, be followed by minced pies and mulled wine.
Dorking choral Christmas concert, December 18 at 7.30pm, £7.30
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