Heavenly celebrations ahead for Berkshire’s Tamesis Chamber Choir

Berkshire-based Tamesis Chamber choir is celebrating the end of its 20th season with a sublime concert at Douai Abbey on Saturday, featuring music by Bruckner, Mendelssohn, Holst, Wesley as well as more modern maestros Dubra and Biebl. Organist Simon Dinsdale will accompany.

The choir was launched and is directed by Reading University music graduate Louise Rapple Moore in 2003 and has built a stellar reputation over two decades, winning praise from choral greats including Bob Chilcott and John Rutter.

Louise says: “We’re thrilled to be rounding off our first two decades with a June concert in one of our very favourite venues. In Douai Abbey’s beautiful setting and acoustic, ‘From the Heavens’ will showcase the choir’s wonderful choral sound with some of the most beautiful classical choral repertoire, filling the Abbey with gloriously rich harmonies, ancient and modern, including Ave Marias, motets and psalms. We’re looking forward to warmly welcoming our loyal, regular audience as well as music-lovers hearing Tamesis for the first time, particularly since there’s been so much interest in choral music following the King’s coronation last month.”

Tamesis has recorded three CDs and been featured on local and national radio stations. The choir also regularly helps to raise funds for local charities including Sue Ryder, Thames Hospice, Rotary International and St John Ambulance.

Louise attributes the 28-strong choir’s success to high standards as well as a community-minded, sociable outlook. “We’ve built a reputation for quality performances and collaborations with other highly regarded Berkshire ensembles, including Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra and Trinity Concert Band. Tamesis singers have to re-audition every year to test their musicianship and voices - that’s how we achieve the well-blended sound that we’re often praised for.”

Tamesis performs 'From the Heavens' on Saturday at 7pm at Douai Abbey, Woolhampton. Advance tickets (£15, or £5 for students) are on sale now from tamesischamberchoir.com and will also be available on the door.

Visit tamesischamberchoir.com or contact choir director Louise Rapple Moore on lourap@gmail.com for more information.