We enjoyed another successful concert on Saturday July 4 at St Mark’s, Purley with Choral Reflections, our selection of reflective and contemplative choral pieces by composers from Purcell and Bach to Aaron Copland and Eric Whitacre.
 

The evening was poignant for the choir as it marked the final concert conducted by our Music Director of 27 years, David Gibson as he moves on to pastures new. More about David’s departure below.
 

David, only the fourth Music Director of this choir in its 112-year history, bid the choir a fond farewell at his final rehearsal with us on 30th June. He said he had “done a fair stint and that it’s probably time for somebody else to have a go”.

To show our appreciation and thanks for all David has done for us, we presented him with gifts including a framed collage of our most memorable concert flyers and a glass long service award that included some of his witty rehearsal quotes from our time together:

Under David’s outstanding musical leadership and long experience, the choir has enjoyed singing big famous choral works: Bach’s Mass in B, Handel’s Messiah, Carmina Burana and not forgetting Verdi and Mozart Requiems from memory. These have been performed in large concert halls such as the Royal Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall and Fairfield Halls and cathedrals with well-known orchestras and ensembles not to mention outstanding professional soloists. We must not forget our many local church concerts with him that have been equally memorable including music by Will Todd, Gilbert and Sullivan, Vivaldi, Purcell and many more plus our festive Christmas Cheer concerts at St Matthews every year.

The Croydon Philharmonic Choir

wishes David all the very best for the future.