About Us
HCS Christmas Concert, December 2023
A recent Society quiz night
The members of the HCS all have at least two interests - the enjoyment of singing, and the performance of choral works for local audiences!
The repertoire is varied with an average of three concerts per year. Winter concerts usually consist of classical music with Christmas carols; in Spring we often perform sacred music around Eastertime; and the summer concerts generally tend to feature a lighter programme, such as opera choruses or songs from the shows.
Over the years, we have performed the works of composers ranging alphabetically from Bach to Vivaldi by way of Cherubini, Elgar, Orff, Lehar, Poulenc, and Rutter. Sometimes we concentrate on one major work, on other occasions, several are featured.
Key events have included the Choir's 30th anniversary at Cadogan Hall, and their 25th at Southwark Cathedral. Both concerts were joint celebrations with the Hillingdon Philharmonic Orchestra.
Our conductor is Peter J Williams, who was in on the founding of the Society in 1980. Our Accompanist Luke Saint joined us in September 2023.
The Choir also arranges regular social events such as Christmas parties, meals out, and quiz suppers.
The HCS has an impressive list of overseas tours, including Germany, Belgium, Holland, Czech Republic, Austria and Hillingdon's twin town in France, Mantes la Jolie, where we went for the Three Choir Festival in 2003. We'll be touring in Belgium in 2024. Our previous tour was a very successful trip to Luxembourg in 2019. See our photos page for more.
HCS is often invited to sing at local charity or other events. In 2023 we sang Christmas carols at Poplars Care Home in Ruislip and at the Ickenham Festival. Previously we sang at Harefield Dogs' Home, Hillingdon's Day of the Older Person event in 2022, and we joined in a Help for Heroes concert at St Martin's Church in Ruislip. We also sang at the opening of the peace garden at the Cherry Lane Cemetery.
A recent Society quiz night
The Hillingdon Choral Society (HCS) was formed in 1980. There were originally 30 singers conducted by Peter J Williams, who is still our conductor today. Initially the Choir was an Adult Education Class, but became independent and self-funding in 1982. It now has about 60 singers.
The Society is a Registered Charity.
HCS Concert at Cadogan Hall, July 2011