The combined choirs of the Royal Memorial Chapel and Yateley Choral Society gave a performance of French Classics in the Chapel on the evening of Saturday 22nd March. This was the first major concert to be performed in the Chapel since the Chapel closures for Covid in 2020.

The programme included music by Vierne, Fauré, and Gounod. The concert was conducted by Richard Stevens, Choral Director of the Chapel Choir, and James Casselton, Musical Director of Yateley Choral Society. The music was accompanied by Simon Dinsdale, Chapel Organist and Director of Music, on the Chapel’s four manual organ. The Allen organ is the largest digital organ installation of its type in the country, and the company’s show piece.

The Concert attracted an audience of around three hundred people including the Yateley Town Mayor. The two main Choral items were the Messe Solonelle in C # Minor by Louis Vierne and the Requiem by Gabriel Fauré.

Simon show pieced the organ to great effect by playing Lois Vierne’s Carillon de Westminster.

The whole evening was a real success with a great reception from the audience. We are now encouraged to start planning more musical events in the future making full use of the opportunities a space like the Chapel provides.

About the Royal Memorial Chapel 

There has always been a Chapel and serving Chaplains at The Royal Military Academy since its inception as The Royal Military College in 1812, and since 1947 as The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Today, The Royal Memorial Chapel sits in Chapel Square, with The Roman Catholic Chapel of Christ The King in the opposite corner of the square.

Find out more about the Royal Memorial chapel along with upcoming events over on our website

The Chapel has a robed choir which sings at all Sunday services, normally one service each Sunday at 10:30 in term time. The choir has an extensive repertoire, and performs to a high standard. Rehearsals are from 19:30 to 21:00 every Thursday evening in term time.

Visit the Royal Memorial Chapel

Although the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is an closed establishment, hundreds of visitors are welcomed each year on historical tours organised by the Sandhurst Trust which include a visit to the Royal Memorial Chapel.

Find our more on our Tours Page