
We brought together a star soprano and one of the nation's longest-running non-professional choirs.
Across the country, countless non-professional ensembles bring communities together. At the RPS, we’re getting out to meet some of them, to find out why they’re special to their members and their community, and tell their story here on our website, as we do for many professionals.
Tonbridge Philharmonic Society is one of many groups that sprung up straight after the Second World War, as the nation looked to music to lift its spirits. 70 years on, its choir and orchestra are still going strong. As they set their sights on performing Verdi Requiem, we took professional soprano Anna Patalong - no stranger to singing its star part - to sing with them, and share her insights and experiences of the work. It was thrilling to witness how much having Anna sing with them instantly lifted their own collective sound, as captured in this short film. The choir enjoyed Anna's company so much that they invited her back to perform the complete work with them.
Love Classical Music?
You can play a part in our charitable mission for the good of music. With greater means, we can meet more groups like this and help raise their profile. To do this, and much more besides, we invite music-lovers nationwide to join the RPS. As one of the UK's foremost musical charities, each RPS Membership vitally helps us in our mission to support, protect and celebrate classical musicians and music-making nationwide.
What’s more, RPS Membership brings you closer to what’s happening in classical music, with a range of benefits to further your curiosity and pride in the music you love. Find out more about the benefits of RPS Membership below.