About the Choir

The Sutton Chorale was formed in 2009 by Martin French (Director of Music) and Daniel Battle (Organist). Their current Organist is Antony Matthews.

The choir was originally formed to undertake a tour to Minden, Germany (one of Sutton's twinned towns), to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Minden. After this highly successful tour the choir continued to meet, touring some of Sutton's other twinned towns including Tavarnelle (Italy), Apeldoorn (The Netherlands), and Wilmersdoft (Germany). They have also visited Bruges and Oostende (Belgium), Limerick and Cork (Ireland), and several English Cathedrals including Exeter, St Edmundsbury, Worcester, Gloucester, and Southwell Minster.

The choir's membership is drawn from a number of local churches and choirs. We regularly meet on the first Sunday of each month at All Saints' Carshalton to sing Choral Evensong (and the Carol Services), and support local civic services and services in other local churches.

If you're interested in finding out more or joining us please email contact@suttonchorale.co.uk. There's no membership fee - we sing for pleasure!

Martin French - Conductor

Martin's love of music started at Trinity School in Croydon, where he sang in the world renowned Trinity Boys Choir. This involved numerous recitals, recordings and television work not just of choral music, but children's operas, film scores and even advertising "jingles". He is still involved with the Choir.

Whilst at Trinity he also studied piano, organ, trumpet and singing. Having been offered a place at the Royal College of Music, he studied singing under Professor Hervey Allen, his prized possession from this time being Hervey's own copy of Vaughan Williams's Songs of Travel.

Martin has directed a number of choirs including The Royal Memorial Chapel choir at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. During Martin's tenure there, Sandhurst played host to a number of major ecclesiastical, religious and military events, many involving royalty, with Martin at the baton often directing the military band as well as the choir. He is currently the Director of Music at St Mark's Woodcote.

Antony Matthews - Organist

Antony grew up in South London, and went to school at The John Fisher School, Purley; he has been involved in church music in various guises since he sung in his Dad's choir at the age of 10.

He studied Music at the universities of Exeter and Bristol, studying the organ with Paul Morgan and David Ponsford. Since graduating he has continued his organ studies with the international concert organist Robert Munns.

Previously the Director of Music at St Joseph's Catholic Church, New Malden, he took the position of Director of Music at All Saints' Carshalton in January 2012, and also became organist to Sutton Chorale.

When we Sing

We regularly meet on the first Sunday of each month at All Saints' Carshalton to sing Choral Evensong, and also the Christmas Carol Service in the Church (except in August and September).

We try to organise a short tour each year, usually around the May or October half terms. Rehearsals for those would take place at 8pm on Thursdays, at St Marks Woodcote.

If you want us to let you know when we're singing just email us and we'll add you to the mailing list. *

* We promise we won't sell your email address to anyone!