The Abinger D&G Choir started in 2006, when a local Abinger lady who had always wanted to sing, but had been put off as a child, laid down a challenge to Martin Hall, then Choir Master and Organist at St James Church, because he boldly claimed that “…absolutely anyone can be taught to sing”. The original idea was to offer a handful of local women, who had been told at some point in their life that they couldn’t sing, the opportunity to find their voice. The initial intention was to run a one off, ten week course called ‘How To Sing’. This small group of beginners chose to call themselves, self-effacingly but humorously, ‘The Duffers Choir’. Slowly growing in confidence and ability the ladies started to sing at carol services, weddings, christenings and funerals. Over the following years they began to pass singing and choral exams and in 2014, unbelievably, gained the ABRSM (Associated Board of The Royal School of Music) Advanced Choral exam. An extraordinary journey of musical rags to riches!
In 2015 the choir expanded to include male singers, who chose to name themselves, again jokingly, ‘The Gruffers’ and has since progressed to becoming a fully operational, four voice choral society now boasting around 45 members and rapidly growing. The passion and commitment of the founding members and their talented Choir Master was fundamental to slowly building and growing a like-minded following. The generally understood, but unwritten, constitution was originally based on the premise that anyone would be welcome whether they could sing or not and auditions would never be required. This fundamental principle is still observed today.
The combined Duffers and Gruffers Choir has since been part of many local ‘Come and Sings’ and other charitable church events. They have performed for a number of worthy causes including, for example, the Queen Elizabeth Foundation, which supports severely disabled teenagers. At Christmas time they frequently visit care homes to entertain the elderly. Probably the most prestigious engagement to date was in 2016 when they supported the world acclaimed Hilliard Ensemble, performing Vivaldi’s Gloria. In 2018 the, now fully integrated, choir passed its ABRSM Advanced Choral Exam with a stunning Grade A, which was a very proud moment indeed for both the members and their inspirational Choir Master. At this point it was thought prudent to drop the jokey names ‘Duffers and Gruffers’, and rebrand with a more sophisticated title reflecting the unassailable achievement of becoming extremely competent singers and a real choir. This fired a rebellion! The choir fiercely defended its roots, and therefore today ‘The D&G Choir’ is used as an abbreviation for those original, highly cherished sobriquets.
The Abinger D&G Choir,from its inception until today, has been inspired by the musical talent of Martin Hall, the Choir Master, often fondly referred to as ‘El Maestro’. Martin has led the choir through numerous exams and performances over the years. He is still as enthusiastic and energetic as he was on day one, when the original group of ladies sat nervously listening to his musical anecdotes and words of encouragement as he led them into their first singing lesson.
Martin Hall MA GRSM FRCO (CHM) LRAM, choir master and co-founder of the Abinger D&G Choir, has a vast and formidable background in Baroque music, and particularly the works of the composer Henry Purcell. Martin received his musical training at the Royal Academy of Music, where he was a prize winner, and New College, Oxford where he eventually returned to teach. Whilst at school he had always admired the singing of pioneer countertenor Alfred Deller, who was a great champion of Henry Purcell. Martin enjoyed singing Purcell solo pieces even at that tender age.