Leith Hill Music Festival is a competitive choral festival for amateur choirs in the Surrey area held over two days in April with a combined concert each evening.
In addition, each year in March, the Festival hosts a performance of a major choral work, this year it was Haydn’s Creation. This event was open to members of the festival choirs and independent singers. This is accompanied by a full professional orchestra and top soloists and is open to members of the festival choirs and independent singers.
Results for the Leith Hill Music Festival Competition 2026
What a Festival! What next?
What a fabulous Festival! The contrast of pin-drop silence following Igor Yuzefovich’s magical performance of RVW’s The Lark Ascending with the roof-raising first choral blast of Zadok the Priest… If you were there, you were there.
The warmest of thanks for any part you played in making our Festival such a success, from audience to singer, musician to supporter. We’ve had some wonderful initial feedback e.g.
“The 'main event' - the concerts - were simply stunning and Neil led them with his phenomenal energy and musical conducting. The old 'Leith Hill Buzz' was very much alive and kicking for both days and one can easily say 'Music Won the Cause'!! VW would have been smiling broadly!!”
“Both days went really well with song filled mornings, busy afternoons and wonderful evening concerts, just as a Spring Festival should be!”
“It was such a joyous experience being part of it all - my first Leith Hill festival.”
To quote from Neil’s comments to our choirs:
“My sincere thanks and congratulations to all participants in this year's festival. The morning recitals continue to grow as a celebration of choral singing, with superb programming and ever-increasing confidence… Every recital was a joy with abundant musicianship; I was delighted with what we all achieved in both concerts….
I loved the atmosphere, the energy, and the positivity. Can't wait for the next...!
Please make sure you sign up for the Singing Day in October - it will be a fantastic day - and I hope many of you will join us for the Bach St. Matthew Passion in March next year as well.
With very best wishes and heartfelt thanks,
Neil
So what next? Let’s take a brief look at our forthcoming programme. You will find information on our LHMF ‘Future Events’ page https://lhmf.org.uk/future-events
Conductor - Neil Ferris
Upcoming events
2026 Come & Sing
Saturday 17 October 2026 10:00 - 17:00 St Martin’s Dorking
An uplifting day of singing with Festival Conductor, Neil Ferris, and internationally acclaimed composers Cecilia McDowall, Joanna Forbes L’Estrange and Joanna Gill, as we learn three new pieces especially commissioned from them to celebrate the life of Clarissa Nicholls and raising funds for Cardiac Risk in the Young. During the day we will also be singing the latest choral work by Will Todd, The Promise.
The box office is already up and running with tickets selling.
2027 Spring Concert
Sunday 14 March 2027 - 19:00 Dorking Halls
As detailed in the Festival programme, this will be Bach: St Matthew Passion. Those of us who sung with Neil in this year’s Spring Concert know that every rehearsal is a masterclass in singing!
Book in your diaries now; rehearsals will begin January 2027.
Leith Hill Music Festival 2027
Festival: Friday 9th April 2027
Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis
Michael Higgins The Cloths of Heaven
Holst St Paul’s Suite
Piazzolla Libertango
Martin Palmeri Misa a Buenos Aires ‘Misatango’
The Leith Hill Choirs of Beare Green and Newdigate, Bookham, Buckland and Betchworth, Holmbury St Mary, Horsley and Mickleham come together for the first Festival concert of 2027.
Festival: Saturday 10th April 2027
Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle (with 2 pianos & accordion)
The Leith Hill Choirs of Capel, Dorking, Epsom, Leatherhead and Oxshott come together for the second Festival concert of 2026.
What is the Leith Hill Music Festival?
Imagine.
You love singing. You really love singing. You have joined your local choir, perhaps coming back to the joy of singing at a point where life’s travails enable you so to do. You are reveling in the bonhomie – even the bon-harmony! – of voices from all walks of life coming together to celebrate in sound. Regular rehearsals. Regular local concerts. A stress reliever & mental health workout like no other. You love it.
In an elated moment, you imagine performing from a professional stage in a major venue, in the midst of two hundred or so voices, a live professional orchestra just yards in front of you, singing your heart out to a welcoming audience, an international conductor crafting a crescendo as trumpets burst through the balcony doors to blow the roof off the auditorium in a blast that sends a shiver down your spine, let alone the audience…
You don’t need to imagine.
This is the Leith Hill Music Festival. Right here, right now. The vignette above is a memorable moment from our performance of Verdi Requiem! Thanks to the vision of two founders, the professional skills of six international conductors, the enthusiasm of thousands of amateur voices over the years, LHMF has been bringing the joy of singing to choir members and audiences alike since 1905.
As a choir member you have an unparalleled opportunity - out of reach for many choirs - to sing major works in the choral repertoire, and we haven’t even started on the fun of competing in the morning – all in the best possible spirit – to the discerning ears of a professional adjudicator for cups and trophies to polish with pride. As an audience member you are supporting an amazing organisation, rich in history, abundant in potential.
This is the Leith Hill Music Festival. The joy of singing. Right here, right now.
‘Music Won the Cause’ - Brian and Val In Conversation
NEW ARTICLE
We are always looking for volunteers to help on Festival days e.g stewards, programme sellers, flower arrangers, Adjudicator chaperone. If you would like to volunteer please listen for announcements at the Joint rehearsals or contact the festival organiser.
Are you a PR Person? A Mailchimp Master? The Festival would welcome your help; contact the chairman or festival organiser.
Volunteering opportunities
We’d love for you to join our community. One way you can do this is by receiving our newsletter.
Sign up to be the first to know about our events and news. We won’t share your details with anyone else and typically send one or two emails a month.