By Community Correspondent Tom Hill

“In the beginning God created the Heav’n and the Earth; and the Earth was without form and void”.

On Sunday 15th November, over 250 local voices will come together at the Rose Theatre, Kingston, to perform the 2009 Tiffin School Oratorio concert. This is being conducted by Simon Toyne, head of music at Tiffin School, and Director of Music at Kingston Parish Church, and featuring the London Mozart Players. The Music, 'The Creation', by Haydn is what many consider to be his finest work, based on the beginning of the world and as described in the Biblical Book of Genesis (also, appropriately chosen to mark the 200th anniversary of Haydn’s death).

The Rose, having only opened in January 2008, is Kingston’s sole theatre and has already become one of its key local venues. Steven Unwin, having taken over from Sir Peter Hall as Artistic Director just one week after opening, has created a fantastic repertoire of full house productions, suited to audiences of all ages.

In previous years, the Tiffin School Oratorio concert has been held at Tiffin School, so now, being held in such a prestigious theatre, has allowed for a truly spectacular performance. Consisting of over 250 local Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Basses (ranging in age from 10 to 85!), the Oratorio has grown to be a popular and well supported event, uniting and capturing many talents from the community. With a large number of the performers being past or present students at either Tiffin or Tiffin Girls’ School, the dedication and enthusiasm of the students, especially with many having important exams fast approaching, is impressive. But it shouldn’t be assumed that this has been a quick and easy arrangement, as months of hard preparation and weekly rehearsals have helped to turn this into what will be an undoubtedly phenomenal performance.

This year saw the new Head, Hilda Clarke, join Tiffin School, and, although only 8 weeks into the academic year, she has shown much enthusiasm and unstinting support towards all the extra-curricular activities that give Tiffin its outstanding reputation.

Simon Toyne is conducting the show, seventeen years since 'The Creation' was last performed by the choir. Commenting on the continuing strength of support for the Oratorio, he summed it up as, “a whole community of all ages, working together, having fun, feeling uplifted..... coming together for one night to celebrate through music-making of the highest standard.”

So with the concert virtually upon us and expectations mounting; only time will tell whether this combination of musical genius and ambition will create “a new beginning”. In the words of Haydn, “Achieved is the glorious work; The Lord beholds it, and is pleas’d”.