A ‘Perfect Christmas Night’ concert.

I was recently given the privilege to undertake some Christmas concert photography covering the annual concert for the two Elmbridge choirs.

This was a spectacular event that took place in Christ Church in Woking. The two Elmbridge choirs are very well known in my home area.

The evening boasted a full house of 300 who enjoyed seasonal music from the superb 90-voice Elmbridge Ladies Choir and the marvellously entertaining 130-strong Elmbridge Choir, led by Cliff van Tonder – Founder and CEO of Surrey Music.

Surrey Music was founded in 2005. The founder’s drive, ambition and exuberance are well recognised, not only to the members of Surrey Music but to the local community as a whole. Over the years more than £175,000 has been raised for charitable causes and many hundreds of people have benefited from his commitment. Cliff has recently been honoured with a British Citizen Award for services to the Arts.

A close up of a row of the Elmbridge Ladies Choir singing at their Christmas concert in Woking

Guest Artists: Chase Adams and Elite Elton

Chase Adams is an up and coming singer/songwriter who hails from Brighton. Chase has been performing for around 12 years and lists his influences as Bruno Mars, Adam Lambert, Maroon 5 and Ed Sheeran. Elite Elton is the UK’s premier Elton John tribute act. Kevin Clay (‘Elton’) is a very close lookalike who performs a huge repertoire of Sir Elton John’s songs. He took to the stage in typically flamboyant fashion and at the end had everyone on their feet for Crocodile Rock.

An EltonJohn tribute act is sitting at his piano singing at an event organised by th eElmbridge Ladies Choir

The concert

The concert was opened by Chase Adams who gave a very soulful performance, delighting the audience with his superb voice. Following this was the spectacular entrance of the 90 strong Elmbridge Ladies Choir to the tune of ‘Here Come The Girls’, led by their Musical Director Christine Parker. Their repertoire included a varied programme, from traditional carols to an African lullaby with percussion accompaniment.

It was then the turn of Kevin Clay and his alter-persona of Elite Elton. His entrance was even more spectacular as he was wearing a sequined jacket and topped with a straw boater. On stage there was a baby grand piano surrounded by the choir. He performed the majority of Sir Elton John’s best-known songs of which there are many and returned later as an older Elton with a sparkly purple shirt.

a close up view of a performance by Elton John tribute act Elite Elton at Woking's Christ Church

The highlight of the evening was the 130 strong Elmbridge mixed choir. Their repertoire included traditional carols and some songs featured in Frozen and The Greatest Showman. Cliff van Tonder was absolutely mesmerising as their conductor and knew how to get the best out of all the performers. 

A view down the aisle at Woking's Christ Church during the Elmbridge Choirs Christmas concert

The evening turned out to be particularly brilliant and it was a total pleasure to be involved in the Christmas concert photography for both of the choirs.

© Andrew Boschier Photography 2018

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