I have been running the Choirs, Orchestras and Bands Day for the Stratford Festival since 2016 and I am delighted to tell you that every year we get more entrants! I think that next year, we may have to host two days for the choirs!
In the earlier part of the day, we had 16 classes for the schools. Our venue, St Mary’s Church in South Woodford, was packed to capacity and the atmosphere was tense. The standard throughout was astonishingly good: all praise to the brilliant teachers.
We had eight different school choirs this year and five school orchestras. What a treat! We were delighted to welcome Lyceum School Infants choir for the first time – everyone loved watching the little ones sing.
Woodford Green Preparatory School won several cups again this year:
Arbor Academy also did well and walked off with cups:
We also welcomed St Aubyn’s, Avon House Preparatory School, Maple Walk School, Oaklands and Widford Lodge.
Our adjudicator, Rosanna Whitworth, was full of praise for the children and their teachers and she said she hadn’t enjoyed herself so much in ages.
Then, in the evening, we had 11 adult choirs singing. Every single choir was a complete delight to listen to and we were treated to a huge variety of styles.
First up was local choir “Felicitas”, who entered three classes and carried off the Throne Challenge Cup.
“On That Note” gave us six wonderful songs and they won two cups:
It’s always wonderful to welcome Jenny Ewington’s choirs back and yet again her “Modality Voices” and “Harmonix” took home prizes.
We were thrilled to welcome some new choirs, “Harmony E4”, “The Fifty” and “Bloom Community Choir (Loughton and Chigwell)” this year. We did have “Bloom Community Choir (South Woodford)” last year, but this year they sent two wonderful choirs.
“All Saints Church Choir” gave us a heavenly rendition of two anthems, and won themselves a cup.
It is always great to welcome the “Bluebirds” choir. They had prepared six amazing songs for us.
Another stalwart of the Choirs Day is “The Woodford Singers”. They had also worked hard to prepare six songs and the audience was moved by their performance.
If you would like to attend our Choirs, Orchestras and Bands Day next year, you would be very welcome. Keep an eye out for information on the date.
Stella Redburn
Convenor
Choirs, orchestras and bands
List of 2025 Choirs, Orchestras and Bands Winners
Name | Class | Prize |
Woodford Green Preparatory School Y5&6 Choir | 214 | Musicianship Cup |
Woodford Green Preparatory School Y5&6 Choir | 209 | Daisy Wykes Cup |
Arbor Academy Choir | 209 | Delcor Cup |
St Aubyn’s School Y3&4 Choir | 209 | Delcor Cup |
Lyceum School Infant Choir | 210 | Cantori Vocal Ensemble Cup |
Arbor Academy Orchestra | 241 | Orchestra Cup |
Felicitas Chamber Choir | 201 | Throne Challenge Cup |
Modality Voices | 206 | Simkins Family Trophy Cup |
The Woodford Singers | 205 | Clarnico Cup |
On That Note | 203 | Holland Young Associates Cup |
Bloom Community Choir (Loughton & Chigwell) | 212 | Edith Parnum Cup |
Harmonix Choir | 204 | Unison Choirs Cup |
All Saints Church Choir | 211 | Janet Cass Cup |
On That Note | 202 | Sir J B Slade JP Cup |