The Inspiring Sound of the Renaissance Singers
About us
Founded by Reg Bertin in the early 1970s with just 8 singers, we have specialised in unaccompanied multi-part harmony and became established as one of the leading choirs in Sussex and have always been in great demand.
Our repertoire covers a complete range of styles including plainsong & chant, motets, madrigals, folk songs throughout the ages, anthems and modern choral pieces.
When Reg retired, his place was taken by Shirley Barrell, who sang contralto under Reg's baton and, under her direction, the group has grown to 15 singers,
After many years, Shirley sadly passed away and we are now under the direction of Paul Collins, who takes us to new heights and beyond.
Dates for your Diary
Our next concert
Sunday October 4th 2026
Our next concert will be on the theme of 'Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness', at 3pm on Sunday October 4th at the Emmanuel Church in Upperton Road, Eastbourne (BN21 1LQ)
The programme will include music from the sixteenth to the twenty-first centuries, ranging from madrigals to sacred anthems, Victorian ballads to Britten and Whitacre.
The concert is free, with refreshments afterwards, and there will be a retiring collection towards the work of the Jenny Wren Nursery, which is based at the Emmanuel Church.
Future concerts
Sunday November 29th 2026 at 3pm
A programme of music for Advent
at St Saviour's Church, South Street
Saturday December 12th 2026 (time tbc)
A programme of music for Christmas
at Our Lady of Ransom Church
Sunday 31st January 2027 at 3pm
A concert for Epiphany
at St Saviour's Church, South Street
The Singers
Musical Director: Paul Collins
Sopranos
Deirdre Dean Elizabeth Foster Jane Kingham
Lucy Redhead Jacqueline Sheridan Sue Thomas
Altos
Jane Aldred Rachael Maddock
Katherine Musson Jan Purcell John Shanks
Tenors
Viv Fisher Paul Frisby
Baritone
Ian Collins Kim Adams
Basses
Graham Rowsell Brian Steer
Sue Thomas
Past concerts
The Renaissance Singers were established 50 years ago and on Sunday May 17th 2026 we held a special concert at St Saviour's to celebrate this milestone.
We invited back many of the singers who had sung with the Renaissance Singers in the past and the programme featured music from each of the three ages of the choir, including a few well-known pieces for our past singers to join in!
We were delighted to see so many people turn up for this very special anniversary and enjoyed tea and cake afterwards in the Renaissance tradition!
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On June 7th 2026 we enjoyed our annual concert at St Michael and All Angels Church in Berwick, with a programme of choral music on the theme of 'From Spring into Summer'
As we were, some time ago!
The Silver Swan
Fine Knacks for Ladies
Kyrie Eleison
