The Genesis Chorale is a mixed choir of more than 60 voices who are based in and around the West Byfleet area of Surrey.

Robert Hodge took the post of Musical Director of The Genesis Chorale in April 2010. We look forward to a long and successful relationship with this up and coming young conductor. Rehearsal accompaniment is supplied by Leslie Louis on the piano.

The choir performs at least three concerts each year in the Spring, the Summer and at Christmas and tries to achieve a balance of singing new and lesser known works in addition to the firm favourites which are well known to audiences.

The choir has always set out to be the friendliest in the area. New members rarely leave, because a heavy emphasis is placed on enjoyment both at rehearsals and in concert. For this reason, auditions are not required, and voices of all standards are invited to join. An ability to read music is an advantage, but not essential.

The Genesis Chorale was formed in 1981 and over the years has grown to more than 60 voices. Originally it was called the Gemini Chorale by its esteemed founder and musical director, Keith Mansfield - a noted local musician and patron of the Arts. When Keith retired in 1999, the choir reformed and changed its name to Genesis. The Genesis Chorale is proud to have peformed under the musical directorship of Neil Ferris, Mark Sproson and Rachel Staunton (formerly Rachel Coward), and now we are pleased to welcome Robert Hodge.

The Genesis Chorale has recently performed the Requiems of Mozart and Haydn, Carmina Burana and Bach St John Passion as well as operatic favourites and many lighter and popular secular works with more traditional carols at Christmas. These concerts, often augmented with professional soloists and orchestras, have proved extremely popular and usually attract full houses at St Johns Church, West Byfleet.

Musical Director - Robert Hodge

Robert was born in Pembrokeshire, West Wales and on leaving school gained a place at Royal Holloway, University of London where he studied piano with James Kirby, violin with Alex Wood, and conducting with Levon Parikian.

Predominantly a pianist, Robert leads a busy life teaching and performing as both soloist and accompanist. He has accompanied Pangbourne Choral Society since 2006 and has been the pianist with Trio Preti for six years; with them he has established a busy schedule performing wide-ranging repertoire across the UK. Robert’s further interest in Jazz and Big Band has led to performances with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Wales and he has been the musical director of Royal Holloway’s Big Band, ‘Undergraduated’.

During his time at Royal Holloway he conducted all of the major ensembles and received a distinction in the University’s Conducting Diploma. In 2006 he was selected as one of the six finalists for the Allianz and Cornhill Conducting Prize. Robert currently conducts The Taliesin Players, Directs the choir at St James the Less, Pangbourne, and from Easter he will be the Director of Genesis Chorale, Woking. Robert studies with Peter Stark and he has been described by Chris de Souza as a “poised and persuasive conductor”. In September, Robert will embark on the postgraduate conducting course at the Royal College of Music.

On top of this Robert works (until September 2010) as Assistant Director of Music at Pangbourne College. He is trying desperately to lead the good life; he keeps chickens and ducks, has a share in a goat, and has sporadic success at growing his own vegetables.

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