The Leith Hill Music Festival (LHMF) continues a long-standing tradition of bringing “the joy of singing” to the heart of Surrey. Since its founding in 1905, the festival has provided a unique platform where amateur choirs perform alongside international singers, conductors and professional orchestras, creating world-class musical experiences for local audiences.

Competition and Collaboration

The flagship two-day competitive festival takes place on Friday 10 April and Saturday 11 April 2026, the style of which has remained largely the same as when founded.

Giving choir members an unparalleled opportunity – out of reach for many choirs – to sing major works in the choral repertoire, this unique event balances the “fun of competing” for cups and trophies in morning sessions, judged by a professional adjudicator, followed by evening performances. After the competitions, the choirs come together for a combined rehearsal, taken by the Festival Conductor, ahead of the evening concerts, held at Dorking Halls.

For the competition element of the Festival each choir performs a short recital. They may also choose to enter
smaller groups of up to 12 singers into the Ensemble Class. The recital, which lasts no longer than 15 minutes,
comprises three pieces chosen by each choir. Composers featured in this year’s competition include Sir JOhn Rutter, Cecilia McDowall, Eric Whitacre, Russell Hepplewhite, Ola Gjeilo, Sarah Quartel, Michael Higgons, Amy Beach, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Johannes Brahms, Giachino Rossini, Edward Elgar, and Herbert Sumsion. This year’s adjudicator is composer, conductor and soprano Anita Datta.

FESTIVAL PROGRAMMES

Friday 10 April

Suffolk Suite Doreen Carwithen

Da Vinci Requiem Cecilia McDowall

The Lark Ascending Vaughan Williams

Five Mystical Songs Vaughan Williams

Participating choirs: Capel, Dorking, Epsom, Leatherhead and Oxshott, accompanied by Southern Pro Musica.

Saturday 11 April: A celebration of Baroque masters

Zadok the Priest George Frideric Handel

Dixit Dominus Antonio Vivaldi

Dixit Dominus Isabella Leonarda

Concerto for two violins in D minor, BWV 1043 Johann Sebastian Bach

The King Shall Rejoice George Frideric Handel

Participating choirs: Beare Green and Newdigate, Bookham, Buckland and Betchworth, Holmbury St Mary, Horsley, and Mickleham, accompanied by baroque orchestra Canzona.

Performances that touch our hearts….That’s the joy of singing; that’s the joy of being part of our Festival. – Ges Ray, LHMF Chairman

The LHMF is more than a series of concerts. It revels in the bonhomie – even the ‘bon-harmony!’ – of voices from all walks of life coming together to celebrate in sound, with regular rehearsals and local concerts. A stress reliever and mental health workout like no other, it brings singers and audiences together to experience the excitement and joy of massed voices performing on a professional stage.

LHMF website