WORKSHOPS

Come and sing “Dream of gerontius”

When: Saturday 26 September, 2026
Where: St Andrew’s Church, Goldsworth Park, Woking, Surrey.

Woking Choral Society and Reigate & Redhill Choral Society are excited to welcome guest Choral Director Carris Jones to lead a special Come and Sing workshop focused on Elgar’s “Dream of Gerontius”.

The workshop is open to all who are interested in discovering new techniques and skills to enhance and build confidence in their choral singing whilst also being of particular interest to singers preparing to perform “Dream of Gerontius” or other works by Elgar.

The workshop will offer plenty of opportunity to network, share experiences and make new connections with other choral singers while participants benefit from Carris Jones’s diverse experience as both a teacher and performer:

Carris graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 2008. On the operatic stage, she has performed with companies including English National Opera, Garsington Opera and Bury Court Opera. As a soloist and consort singer, she has sung across five continents, in concert halls, on radio and television and on the soundtracks of numerous films. She was a founder member of early music vocal ensemble Stile Antico, with which she won a Gramophone Classical Music Award. In 2017, Carris joined the Choir of St Paul’s Cathedral, the first female vicar choral to be appointed in its 1,000-year history. Alongside her performing she is in demand as a teacher and workshop leader, working with students at the University of Oxford and as a vocal lead for the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain. She has recently been appointed Head of Creative Programmes for the National Youth Choir.

Timing:

10:00 - Meet for tea and coffee

10:30-12:30 - Workshop Part 1

12:30-13:30 - Lunch (bring your own or use neighbouring café/supermarket in Goldsworth

Park)

13:30-16:00 - Workshop Part 2, including informal full run-throughs of key sections explored during the day. Time for a break between 14:30 and 15:00.

Ample parking on site and in local area. Nearest railway station is Woking and the venue is served by several local bus routes (to Goldsworth Park Waitrose), such as the 91 from Woking station.

Tickets: £25 in advance or £30 on the door. Places are limited so please book in advance to avoid disappointment.