Hertford Chamber Choir, led by Manvinder Rattan, was set up under the umbrella of Hertford Choral Society (HCS) in January 2022 with the aim of singing interesting and challenging repertoire suitable for a smaller group of singers.
Performances have been local and further afield – including evensong in Westminster Abbey, performances as part of the Hertfordshire Festival of Music and concerts in various venues in Hertfordshire, Bath and Chingford. In November 2022, HCC went on tour for the first time, performing a solo concert in the beautiful St Peter’s Church in Vienna. In December 2024, the choir performed Britten’s Ceremony of Carols by candlelight. The concert was so successful that this will become a regular performance before Christmas.
From our director, Manvinder Rattan: “Hertford Chamber Choir, although relatively young, has quickly established a reputation for excellence for Chamber singing in the area and has attracted a great calibre of singers. I’m really pleased with the standard of singing and imagination we are achieving and whilst we currently have almost no vacancies, we’re always keen to hear from experienced and skilled singers who would like to try us out. Get in touch!”
Since the first rehearsal, the repertoire has been broad and varied, from the early Renaissance to contemporary, sacred and secular, and both a cappella and accompanied. We have performed works by Renaissance and Tudor composers such as Palestrina, Tallis and Byrd, and more modern contemporary composers such as Morten Lauridsen, James MacMillan and Will Todd. Repertoire ranges from short, individual pieces to larger works such as Britten’s Choral Dances from Gloriana, Durante’s Magnificat and Haydn’s Kleine Orgelmesse.
