On Friday 18 December, the Philharmonia Chorus took part in a performance of Handel's Messiah in the Iturbi Hall, Palau de la Música, Valencia, with the Orquesta de Valencia conducted by our Chorus Master, Stefan Bevier.

All the soloists were drawn from our Professional Singers Scheme - Fleur de Bray (soprano), Claire Barnett-Jones (mezzo-soprano), Gyula Rab (tenor) and Ian Beadle (bass). Harpsichord continuo was provided by our accompanist, Timothy End.

The concert was by recorded by Radio Clásica for future transmission.

It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of John Chumrow, aged 87. John joined the Chorus in the 1960s, served on the Council for many years and was Chairman from 1981 to 1994. He continued to take a great interest in the Chorus, and for the last six years has been a very generous and committed supporter.

His funeral will be at 1pm in the West Chapel, Golders Green Crematorium, Hoop Lane, London NW11 7NL.

Letters of condolence may be sent to Mr Evan Davies, 15 Downshire Hill, London, NW3 1NR.

On Sunday October 4 the Philharmonia Chorus presented a Masterclass with soprano Chen Reiss at the Bridewell Hall, St Bride Foundation in London.

The Masterclass was devoted to the music of Mozart, and members of the Philharmonia Chorus took part – sopranos Mimi Doulton and Alexandra Stenson, mezzo-sopranos Emma Lewis and Felicity Turner, tenor Oliver Brignall and bass Benjamin Schilperoort.

The Masterclass was filmed in full by the Masterclass Media Foundation, and is available now on their You Tube Channel.

See now how Mimi Doulton is taught how to master the double 'nn', and how Emma Lewis was taken through the trill.

And here are Chen's top tips for aspiring opera singers!

The Philharmonia Chorus took part in a performance of Mozart's Requiem with the English Chamber Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall at 7.30pm on Friday 25 September.

The Chorus was joined by soprano Stephanie Edwards, mezzo-soprano Kitty Whately, tenor Leonel Pinheiro, and bass Matthew Stiff. The performance was conducted by Robin Newton.

On Friday 12 and Saturday 13 June the Philharmonia Chorus took part in the world première of Breakfast at Tiffany's Live at the Royal Albert Hall, London. The 1961 classic romantic comedy was shown with Henry Mancini's Academy Award-winning score, with the Philharmonia Film Orchestra and the Philharmonia Chorus conducted by Justin Freer.

The Philharmonia Chorus took part in two performances of Mahler's Symphony No.2 'Resurrection', first on Friday 29 May in the Iturbi Hall, Palau de la Música in Valencia, and then in the Auditorio de la Diputación, Alicante on Saturday 30 May with soloists Emöke Barath (soprano) and Nathalie Stutzmann (contralto). The Orquesta de Valencia was conducted by Yaron Traub.