Would you like to join us as a singer with The Maidstone Singers Extended Choir in our Summer Concert?

For over 25 years, The Maidstone Singers have been performing as a chamber choir, specializing in a small-scale a cappella repertoire. However, as part of our tradition, we expand the choir for our summer concerts to tackle larger choral works. 2025 will be no exception and we are proud to announce that the acclaimed choral composer Philip Stopford will rehearse and conduct his own work: ‘Missa Deus Nobiscum’ at All Saints Church, Maidstone on Saturday 21st June 2025. The conductor will provide a full day’s workshop as part of the rehearsal programme.

The concert will commence with the Fauré Requiem and the second half will include the ‘Missa Deus Nobiscum’. We will be accompanied by TMS Sinfonia.

If you would like to join us all we need from you at this stage is a positive response sent to secretary@themaidstonesingers.org.uk confirming your voice part and whether you would like to purchase the score of ‘Missa Deus Nobiscum’ at a price of just £9, which the composer will sign for you. Registration and payment will take place later but please note the information below:

A subscription of £35 will cover your attendance at the full day’s workshop with Philip Stopford, the remaining three evening rehearsals, the compulsory rehearsal on the concert day and the concert itself. Scores for both pieces will be available for hire at a cost of £2 each. Please note that we will be using the Faure Requiem (1893 version) (Ed. John Rutter).

As usual, the rehearsals will be led by our Music Director, Kathryn Ridgeway. The workshop on June 14th will be led by Philip Stopford (Kathryn will also rehearse the Fauré on that day) and the concert itself will be shared between Philip Stopford and Kathryn.

The concert will take place at All Saints Church, Maidstone ME15 6YE at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday 21st June 2025 with a final rehearsal at All Saints beforehand.

In addition there will be five rehearsals on the following days, all (except the workshop) from 7.30 to 9.30 pm:

  • Thursday 29th May 7.30 pm Extended 1
  • Thursday 5th June 7.30 pm Extended 2
  • Saturday 14th June Extended 3 and 4 – morning and afternoon (10.30-1.00 and 1.45-4.30) with Philip Stopford and Kathryn Ridgeway. Please bring your own lunch. Tea and coffee available.

This event will only be open to singers signing up to sing at the concert itself and attendance is compulsory.

  • Thursday 19th June 7.30 pm Extended 5
  • Saturday 21st June Rehearsal (timing tbc) and CONCERT at 7.30 p.m.

You will be expected to attend all the rehearsals but absence from one session may be granted by the Music Director. Attendance at the workshop on the 14th June and at the rehearsal on the day of the concert is required.

All rehearsals (except the final rehearsal on the concert day which will be at All Saints) will take place at St John’s C of E Primary School, Provender Way, Maidstone, ME14 5TZ. Parking at St John’s is either in the school car park or on the road outside.

Renowned for his beautiful choral music, Philip WJ Stopford is a British composer with an impressive musical background and an enviable reputation as a fun, engaging and meticulous choir trainer. He still finds time for workshops, concerts and recordings across the world, and is passionate about creating new works and seeing his music performed by choirs at all levels.

Born in 1977, he is best known for his choral works including contemporary a cappella and accompanied settings of traditional prayers and hymns, including “Ave Verum Corpus”, “Lullay, My Liking”, “Lully, Lulla, Lullay”, “In My Father’s House” as well as, of course, the beautiful, “Do not be afraid”. Three of his works appeared in the Classic FM Hall of Fame in 2014. He has composed numerous other works, including a Te Deum and the Latin Mass “Missa Deus Nobiscum” which was commissioned to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Methodist College Belfast. The Missa is a sacred concert work with a significant role for the soprano soloist. It is designed to create a journey rather than being just a sequence of set piece movements. You can find out more about the composer on his website: Philip Stopford Music

Michael Marriott

Secretary