About Us

Shoreham Oratorio Choir was first formed in 1961, when the choirs from St. Nicolas Church and the Church of St. Mary de Haura combined for a special concert. 

The seed was sown in 1960, when the organists of St. Mary de Haura (David Bennett) and St. Nicolas (Sheila Chaplin) began to work together, with David playing and Sheila conducting.

Before this, the choirs from the two Shoreham-by-Sea churches had come together on special occasions.  Jim Baker wrote in August 1999, that the first Good Friday concert was in 1961. 

However, local historian, Dennis L Bird wrote in June 1999 that there was an earlier tradition of a Shoreham choir dating to at least 1948 – established by Rita Erwood, when Haydn’s Creation was performed.

When the two choirs became known as the ‘Shoreham Oratorio Choir‘ is uncertain, but it is recorded that Daphne McAlear had suggested the name ‘Oratorio Choir’ and ‘Shoreham Oratorio Choir’ is shown on a 1969 poster.