We are a friendly amateur choir with about 55 members in Banstead, Surrey.
Founded in 1922, we sing all sorts of choral music from the 16th century to the modern day and stage three concerts a year accompanied by professional soloists and musicians. Over the past year, our concerts have included well-known Bach Cantatas and Verdi's Anvil Chorus as well as Rossini, Haydn, Gounod, Puccini and more. Click here to see full details.
In addition, we have singing workshops, social events and concert tours, most recently to Avignon in June 2023. We are busy planning our next tour to Koblenz, Germany in June 2026. The tour is open to guests as well as paid up St Cecilia Chorus members - do contact us if you're interested.
New singers are always welcome and we encourage you to come along to a rehearsal or two and try us out. You may have sung in a choir before (either recently or years ago) but don't worry if you have no choir experience. We sing form printed music scores so you do need to be able to read music.
Rehearsals are on Thursdays at 7.45-9.45pm at Banstead Community Junior School, The Horseshoe, Banstead SM7 2BQ.
After a few weeks, our conductor Ed will meet you for a voice check to make sure you're singing the part best suited to your voice and suggest ways to improve your sound.
Full choir members normally pay an annual subscription (which works out at about £7 per rehearsal) but all new members get their first term free.
If you're looking for a friendly local choir to join, we start autumn rehearsals on Thursday 4 September. Do get in touch with June our Chair to find out more.
Our Professional Musicians
Edward Walters was appointed Music Director in July 2025 after serving a year as interim director.
Ed is a baritone and conductor based in London. Recently appointed the Director of Music at St Magnus the Martyr, London Bridge, he is the founder of the chamber group the Paddington Ensemble and, during his time at Durham University, the Castle Chamber Choir and Orchestra.
Previously a Section Leader in the National Youth Choir and Choral Scholar at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Ed also works as a Russian language vocal coach, having collaborated with Tenebrae, the Epiphoni Consort, and others.
Ian le Grice has been accompanist to St Cecilia Chorus since 1983. He was a junior exhibitioner at the Royal College of Music and a chorister at the Temple Church, London and went on to be assistant organist there for many years. He is also accompanist to Croydon Philharmonic Choir and Reigate St Mary's Choir School.
