South West Essex Choir was established in 1964 from the choral wing of the former Leyton Municipal Orchestra and Choir (the orchestra became Forest Philharmonic).  Under the inspiration of its first conductor Donald Ray, it soon expanded in numbers and repertoire, achieving a standard that was recognised in 1972 when this area’s foremost musician, the pianist John Lill, became its President.

Donald Ray was succeeded in 1980 by John Rippin, (a well-known local music teacher and professional organist), and in 1987 by David Temple, founder of the well-respected Crouch End Festival Chorus.  1987 also saw the appointment of our much-respected accompanist Tessa Wright.  Stefan Reid was appointed as SWEC’s Musical Director in 1996, and he stayed with us for ten highly successful years.

In 2006 we welcomed a new Musical Director, young professional conductor Ben Palmer.  SWEC currently has a membership of over 100, drawn mainly from South Essex, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.  We take pride not only in our high standard of music making, but also in our regular programme of social fund raising activities.

In recent years the choir has continued to perform major choral works such as Bach Mass in B minor, Brahms Ein Deutches Requiem, Elgar The Dream of Gerontius, Michael Haydn Requiem and Mendelssohn Elijah, as well as numerous smaller scale pieces and works by contemporary composers.  SWEC demonstrated its commitment to choral development by commissioning a work to mark the Millennium, Requiem for the Condemned Man by Jonathan Rathbone.  The highlight of the choir’s 40^th Anniversary season was a performance of Britten’s monumental War Requiem, jointly with London Forest and Bromley Boys Choirs, in June 2004.

SWEC is always delighted to hear from prospective members.
There is no audition – you can simply come and sit in at one of our rehearsals. 
For more information contact our Membership Secretary,
Mary McElarney, on 01992 812606, or via email m.mcelarney@tiscali.co.uk.