Choir takes runners-up prize at the Cornwall International Male Choral Festival, performing across the county from Bodmin to Falmouth

May 5, 2026 – The Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men’s Choir has returned home with a prestigious second-place award from the Cornwall International Male Choral Festival (CIMCF) — the largest international male choral festival in the world — after a triumphant weekend of competition and performance across Cornwall from 1–3 May 2025.

The choir secured the runners-up position in a highly competitive category of ten choirs, with the competition taking place in the magnificent setting of Truro Cathedral. Over the weekend, the choir also gave public performances in Bodmin, Porthleven and Falmouth — including an unforgettable concert inside the keep of the historic Pendennis Castle.

A Diverse and Demanding Repertoire

The choir’s four competition pieces showcased remarkable breadth and musical accomplishment:

“Pueri Hebraeorum” by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina — a challenging polyphonic Renaissance work.

“The Willow Tree” — a traditional Hampshire folk song specially arranged for the choir by local musician Simon Hancock, in loving memory of long-term choir member Brian Carter.

“Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” — the beloved male voice choir standard by Jerome Kern.

“Soon Ah Will Be Done” — a deeply moving African American spiritual in an arrangement by William Dawson, the pioneering musician who became the first African American to receive a Doctor of Music degree.

Reaction from the Choir

“We are absolutely thrilled with the award which is testament to the hard work put in by every choir member to reach this standard, our talented Music Director, Philip Viveash-Brainch, and accompanist Charlotte Hobbs.”

— Mark Kusionowicz, Chairman, Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men’s Choir

Upcoming Concerts

Audiences will have two forthcoming opportunities to experience the choir’s award-winning standard in concert:

16 May 2026 — Concert in aid of the Mayor of Rushmoor’s charitable trust, Step Beyond Alderwood

18 July 2026 — Summer Concert at St Thomas-on-the-Bourne, Farnham

Are You a Singer? Come and Join Us!

Any man who would like to sing to the standard demonstrated at Cornwall is warmly invited to attend the choir’s Open Evening rehearsal on Monday 1 June 2026 at North Camp Methodist Church. No audition is required — just a love of singing and a willingness to be part of an award-winning team.