About Us
The Main Choir
An informal group of over 60 singers who enjoy a wide range of music styles from Jazz
to Oratario but also sing some modern and show music arrangements.
We welcome singers of all levels of experience.
We don't require an audition. Some of our members are excellent musicians,
but many join us not having sung since school days. Not everyone can sight read,
and we run workshops to help build our musical skills and confidence. We reckon
we are the friendliest choir around! We usually have two major concerts each
year and an informal carol-singing event at Christmas to raise funds
for a local charity. Sometimes we sing at weddings.
The musical director
Valerie Hoppé
Valerie teaches piano and singing and frequently adjudicates at music festivals. In recognition of her services to music she has been awarded the MBE. She was formerly a singer and teacher but now conducts several choirs and groups which all have different styles. In addition to Parenthesis they are:
- Carmina - a group of young mothers who rehearse in Aldershot
- The Chase Singers - a group of ladies who rehearse in Churt
- Hart Male Voice Choir rehearses in Odiham
- The Hart Connection - open to family, friends and associate members of the Male Voice Choir also rehearse in Odiham
- Vivace Cantamus - open to girls between 10 and 21 - who rehearse in Yateley School.
- Vocal Point - a small group, originally an octet but now a little larger, who perform semi-professionally. Membership is by invitation only.
Valerie has directed choirs for young people which must have involved more than 300 singers in the Guildford, Reading, Farnham and Yateley areas since the mid 1980s. She has run Workshops and "Come and Sing" days. She has also helped to establish, with Benjamin Luxon, the charity 'Life after Deafness' to help performers who suffer sudden hearing loss.
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