Henleaze Choral Society is a friendly non-auditioned choir singing classical choral music. We are based in the Henleaze area of north Bristol, BS9: the majority of our rehearsals are at the Henleaze Bowling Club Pavilion, but we relocate to Trinity-Henleaze United Reformed Church for the summer session. More details on rehearsals are on the About page.
We usually perform one main concert each year in March, accompanied by a professional orchestra and soloists.
In June, our Midsummer Serenade concert offers a lighter, more varied programme, followed by a 'Puddings Tasting'.
Often, we reprise the summer programme in an additional concert in support of a charity.
This December, in a change to our customary calendar, we will be performing Handel's Messiah with Chew Valley Choral Society. Then our March 2027 concert will be Rossini's Petite Messe Solonnelle with piano and harmonium accompaniment (as the composer intended). The Concerts page has the latest details of our upcoming concerts.
There are often additional singing opportunities for HCS members throughout the year. For example:
July 2026 - choir members joined the chorus in two concert performances of Tarnhelm Opera's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
held at Christchurch, Bath and at St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol.
June 2026 - we took part in Bristol 'Singing City' at St George's, Brandon Hill.
December carol singing - at Henleaze Christmas Festival and at a lunch for a local walking group.
Musical Director: Robert Marson
Robert Marson has been our Musical Director since 2023. In addition to choir training and conducting, Robert is a well known Bristol Opera bass soloist, accompanist and voice coach; he is also chairman of Tarnhelm Opera. He received his early training as a Junior Exhibitioner at the Royal Academy of Music, London and later studied at Cambridge University. Robert lives in Bristol with his wife and two teenaged daughters.
Accompanists: Philip Blandford and Rupert Hutchings
Phil Blandford learnt piano from an early age and studied music at Bristol University. Since then he has pursued a variegated career in music - equally at home playing Jelly Roll Morton in 1920s jazz bands as playing Stravinsky for the Bristol Opera. He is also in demand as an accompanist for singers and theatre work.
Rupert Hutchings, a former chorister of St Paul's Cathedral, is a graduate of the Royal College of Music. He also trained as an Alexander Technique teacher and music therapist. Experienced as a soloist, collaborative pianist and teacher, since 2016 he has been School Accompanist and Performance Coach at King Edward's School, Bath, whilst continuing to accompany, perform and teach in the Bristol and Bath area.