Who we are and what we do
Hertfordshire Chorus, directed by David Temple, is one of the finest large choirs in the country, with over 120 members from across Hertfordshire, surrounding counties and London. We offer a high standard of music in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
Our repertoire is varied; recent programmes have included Elgar's The Kingdom, Handel's Messiah, Bach's Magnificat, Berlioz’s Te Deum and Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music as well as Tippett’s A Child of our Time, Bruckner’s Mass in E Minor and songs by Morten Lauridsen and Eric Whitacre.
We sing in some of the top venues in the UK, with appearances in the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, Barbican Hall, Birmingham’s Symphony Hall and The Sage Gateshead, as well as concerts in and around Hertfordshire, including St Albans Cathedral.
We have a special fund to commission new music, maintaining and developing choral singing for the future. We are particularly proud of the work we do with children, to help encourage the next generation of choral singers and music enthusiasts.
Our musical director, David Temple, is renowned for his talent, inspiration and enthusiasm. He demands high standards of musicianship and whole-hearted commitment from us all and puts huge energy into every project. Through David’s wide choral experience we are constantly being introduced to stretching and enjoyable repertoire, both existing and newly-commissioned, which challenges both musicians and audiences to travel on new musical journeys.
David has been musical director of Hertfordshire Chorus since 2000. In May 2010 he conducted the Chorus in Mozart's Requiem and the world première of Steve Block's Solaris at the Barbican. Other concert highlights include 2001 - a Film Odyssey with Barry Norman and a critically acclaimed performance of Berlioz' Grande Messe des Morts in St Albans Cathedral.
David's commissions with Hertfordshire Chorus include Will Todd's Mass in Blue which is performed all over the world, and Orlando Gough's Ice, which was premièred at the new Kings Place concert hall in January 2009. David makes frequent visits to The Sage, Gateshead - most recently in July 2009 with Hertfordshire Chorus featuring works by Tippett and Berlioz.
Under the exclusive direction of David Temple, Crouch End Festival Chorus is now one of the UK's leading symphonic choirs. David has collaborated closely for many years with Ray Davies of the Kinks, including at the BBC's 2007 Roundhouse Electric Proms series, and in 2010 on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. David has also worked with Oasis, Goldfrapp and Travis; April 2010 saw CEFC's sixth concert with Ennio Morricone and in July 2010 David was chorus master for CEFC's appearance at the First Night of the Proms with Mahler's 8th Symphony.
Sue Graham Smith, our pianist, is a freelance musician who has worked for 25 years as a pianist, vocal coach and choir director.
Sue has been Music Director for Opera Brava and at Christ Church, Barnet, as well as being Assistant Music Director for Cantate Youth Choir - Sainsbury Children's Choir of the Year 2000.
Sue has worked for many choirs and opera companies, including BBC Symphony Chorus, English National Opera, Kent Opera, and D'Oyly Carte. She was a pianist on BBC2's Maestro (2008) and has played on television and radio many times, including Songs of Praise, Gloria Hunniford Show and Radio 4's Christmas Day pantomime. She has coached over 50 different operas and has many CDs to her credit - largely accompanying choral music - and has recently released a CD of her own compositions - There is No Other Name.
Sue has been an opera coach at Trinity College of Music, an examiner for the Associated Board & a pianist for vocal group Cantabile. Currently Sue is also pianist to Harlow Chorus.