Sherborne Festival Chorus

About Us

Sherborne Festival Chorus was formed in 2006 as a community-based choir, of 140 people, to provide a platform for local singers to perform in Sherborne Abbey and to encourage community involvement in the annual Sherborne Abbey Festival.

There are no auditions, but most of our members have some previous singing experience, and being able to read music or at least follow your line in a musical score is very helpful.

Musical Director: Paul Ellis

Born in Nottinghamshire, Paul studied at Manchester University and the Royal Northern College of Music, where his main instrument was the organ. His love of choral music developed whilst at university, where he formed his first choir. He has worked with many choirs throughout the South West, and has earned a reputation for high standards of performance and innovative programming. He is particularly known for his ability to coax out the best from amateur singers of all ages, and introducing them to a broad range of music, from the Renaissance to the present day. Amongst the choirs that Paul has directed are the Grange Choral Society in Christchurch, Taunton Camerata, Sherborne School Music Society and East Cornwall Bach Choir. He is also an experienced organ recitalist, giving performances across the UK, in the USA and in Paris.

Paul has been actively involved locally in leading choral music for many years, in particular as Musical Director of Sherborne Chamber Choir for over thirty years, with whom he has given numerous highly acclaimed performances. He was Director of Music of Sherborne Abbey for thirteen years until his retirement in 2019, where he was responsible for building a thriving choir of adults and boys. He has been Musical Director of Sherborne Festival Chorus since its formation in 2006.

Past Performances

  • 2025 - Mozart: Requiem / Haydn: Te Deum in C
  • 2024 - Fauré: Requiem / Rutter: Magnificat
  • 2023 - Haydn: Harmoniemesse / Brahms: Schicksalslied
  • 2022 - Elgar: The Kingdom
  • 2021 - No performance due to COVID-19
  • 2020 - No performance due to COVID-19
  • 2019 - Mendelssohn: Elijah
  • 2018 - Mozart: Requiem & Litaniae de Venerabili Altaris
  • 2017 - Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius
  • 2016 - Vaughan Williams: Sancta Civitas & Toward the Unknown Region
  • 2015 - Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem
  • 2014 - Elgar: The Apostles
  • 2013 - Verdi: Requiem
  • 2012 - Mozart: Mass in C minor / Haydn: Te Deum
  • 2011 - Holst: The Hymn of Jesus / Poulenc: Gloria
  • 2010 - Elgar: The Kingdom
  • 2009 - Handel: Messiah
  • 2008 - Vaughan Williams: A Sea Symphony
  • 2007 - Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius
  • 2006 - Haydn: The Creation