SIXTY YEARS OF THE KEMSING SINGERS
In December 1963 a group of singers in Kemsing, conducted by Thomas Denyer, got together to perform a Christmas concert. It was such a success that they decided to meet and sing on a regular basis, and in 1964 Kemsing Singers was born: a choir which enjoys singing not just major choral works but also opera, tunes from the shows, folk songs, even rock and pop classics – something, in fact, for everyone. Throughout 2024 the choir will be looking back in its concerts over six decades of ‘fun and fine singing’, reprising some of the things they’ve most enjoyed in the past and remembering those who have directed and encouraged them along the way.
NOTE: this page will be updated and added to throughout 2024, so be sure to bookmark it and come back!
1967 WE SANG AT THE SEVENOAKS FESTIVAL
From the beginning the choir gave at least two concerts a year, in the spring and at Christmas, in St Edith Hall in Kemsing - something it does to this day. In the first few years the choir also sang at numerous other venues, including: St Mary's Church Kemsing, at Dorton House in Seal, at churches in Otford, Sevenoaks, Chelsfield and at Combe Bank Convent in Sundridge.
1976 - A CHANGE OF CONDUCTOR
In May 1976 Tom Denyer, the choir's founder and chairman since 1964, conducted his last concert - "a fun evening of music on a nautical theme", culminating in some of the best loved pieces from Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore. He was replaced as conductor by Christopher Knox-Johnston, who had been his assistant for two years. Tom was to remain closely involved in the choir, but from now on as a singer. And KJ, as he came to be known by the choir, was to lead it for over 25 years.
1979: WE MADE A RECORD!
In 1979 the choir recorded Kemsing Carols, accompanied by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band and featuring work specially written by choir member Peter Skellern, a musician of international repute. While you might now struggle to find a copy of the album, its carols have remained a key part of the choir’s Christmas repertoire, and “Were You There?”, was performed at the choir’s 2023 Celebration of Christmas concert.
Listen to the original recording from 1979: Were you there? A Lullaby
1980: WE WERE ON TELEVISION!
In 1980 the choir sung Peter Skellern's King Henry's Ayr in the Great Hall at Penshurst Place. The performance was filmed by BBC2 as part of a series about the composer. It was the last of six programmes, and Peter Skellern accompanied the choir on the harpsichord and piano. The programme was to be re-broadcast several times over the following months.
1982: WE SANG AT BRANDS HATCH - AND IT WAS ON THE RADIO
As part of the Camping and Carvanning Club's annual 'National Feast of Lanterns' at the Brands Hatch racing track, Kemsing Singers provided continuous live entertainment alongside the Paul Savage Band with "all types of music to suit everyone". The performance was broadcast live on Radio Medway.
1983: LANDMARK PERFORMANCE AT THE STAG THEATRE
After a long period of uncertainty over its future and a concerted campaign by local supporters of the former cinema, the Stag Theatre had its grand opening on 18 December 1983. Just a few days later the Kemsing Singers were the first choir to perform there with its 'Carols for All' programme, with proceeds going to the Sevenoaks Theatre Action Group. The carol concert would go on to become a regular fixture on the Stag schedule for many years to come.
1984: ROYAL ALBERT HALL, HERE WE COME!
In December 1984 the Kemsing Singers appeared at the Royal Albert Hall as one of two guest choirs invited to sing alongside the internationally renowned Alexandra Choir in programme of traditional Christmas music. In its review of the evening the Sevenoaks Chronicle wrote how this "humble little village choir" celebrated its 21st birthday by singing in a "grand citadel of the arts". For the performance the Singers added 22 new carols to their growing repertoire of music, which already included oratorios, madrigals, folk and popular songs.
1989: OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY
In 1989 the choir celebrated its major anniversary with a busy year. The spring concert in May featured 'Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo'. In July Kemsing Singers were invited by the National Trust to join the Wells Cathedral Brass Ensemble for 'A Concert Under the Stars' at Ightham Mote, pictured here. An outbreak of flu prevented the Ensemble from making made a return visit to accompany the choir at its annual Carols for All concert at the Stag; as the Chronicle reported, however, the Singers adjusted the programme with some extra carols, "with great aplomb, as would be expected from such seasoned performers". And of course there were the traditional carol concerts in St Edith Hall Kemsing, which were followed by an appearance on Radio Kent's Together on Sunday phone-in request show with Pam Gilham on Christmas Eve! Four of the original founder members were still with the choir to celebrate twenty-five years of fun and fine singing with a special cake; one of them sings with us to this day - can you spot who?
