Then do come to our Open Rehearsal on Wednesday 10 February at Gandhi Hall, Indian YMCA, 41 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 6AQ, on the corner of Fitzroy Street and Grafton Way - nearest tubes are Warren Street and Great Portland Street. The rehearsal is from 6.30 to 9pm, but we suggest that you turn up at 6.15pm to collect your music and say hello.

The rehearsal will be taken by our dynamic German Chorus Master, Stefan Bevier, and we will be rehearsing Rossini's Stabat Mater.

You are welcome to come to the whole rehearsal, or just part of it - there will be a break at 8pm. We would love to see you in the pub afterwards for a drink and a chat to Chorus members.

If this appeals, or if you have any questions, do contact our Personnel Manager Rosslyn Panatti by email - rosslyn.panatti@philharmoniachorus.co.uk. Or just turn up! We look forward very much to welcoming you.

The Philharmonia Chorus took part in a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the Royal Festival Hall, London on Tuesday 13 January, with soprano Natalya Romaniw, mezzo-soprano Anne-Marie Owens, tenor Robert Murray and bass Sir Willard White, with the Philharmonia Orchestra conduced by Michael Collins.

This was a charity performance is in aid of Pancreatic Cancer UK. It was recorded by Classic FM, and was broadcast at 20.00 on Tuesday 20 January.

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.