The Shopwyke Singers‘ Rio Grande concert in May 2026 was the last for its founder Alex Dichmont. His successor, Richard Allum, tells us about his plans for the choir.
I’ve had an association with the choir since I started in the music department at Westbourne House School 17 years ago, where I am Assistant Director of Music, firstly as a singer and more recently I have taken care of their website and the marketing and publicity.
When Alex announced that he was going to leave, members of the choir were asked if they wanted to carry on with me at the helm and they all said yes. I’m not planning any major changes to the choir. The members are quite happy with what they’re doing.
It’s a really lovely group. And there’s been a little bit of an influx of new faces in the last two or three years, which is nice.
We perform two concerts a year in November and May. Both usually take place at Boxgrove Priory Church. The choir’s incredibly lucky to have this church as its home venue.
Sometimes we change the venue depending on the requirements of the music. For example, we’ve just done Camina Burana and the Lambert Rio Grande (for which I was the piano soloist). We needed two pianos for that, so we had to be at Westbourne House.
We sing a huge range of repertoire, from the Renaissance up to the present day. On 8 November we’re going to do a Requiem double bill, with the Fauré and Rutter Requiems. Rutter was a huge fan of the Fauré, and I think they fit rather nicely together.
I think one of the other real strengths of the choir, and this is a real legacy of Alex’s, is that he’s been able to engage really top-notch soloists. We’ve got really great soloists for that November concert. That’s one thing that the choir really appreciates, is the fact that they really feel like they’re performing with the best. In November we’ve got Andrew Davies, who’s a regular in the Glyndebourne chorus, as well as Lucy Cronin, who sings with groups such as Polyphony and Tenebrae.
We are always on the hunt for more singers in all voice parts. There’s no audition, but the ability to read music is an advantage.
My musical journey
My musical journey began with my first experience of choral music at the age of 16 during work experience at Peterborough Cathedral, which led to an organ scholarship at Durham University.
My time as an organ scholar and conducting the chapel choir there opened up the world of choral music. I continue to perform as a pianist and organist, occasionally giving recitals and accompanying others.
I have particular admiration for Mozart as a pianist and Bach for organ and choral works. I’ve an interest in potentially organizing a concert of opera choruses in the future, which would be a new departure for the choir.
I’m first and foremost a pianist. I have been fortunate to study with some wonderful teachers, and a highlight was playing to Andras Schiff in a masterclass at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. That will live long in the memory! I do try to keep up a little roster of recitals here and there, though it’s increasingly hard to combine with my responsibilities at school. I am an organist as well: I play the organ at Midhurst Parish Church twice a month. This will allow me to get the Shopwyke Singers to join with Midhurst Parish Church Choir to do their carol service on 20 December.
About Richard
Richard Allum read Music at Durham University, where he has Organ Scholar at University College (Durham Castle). He studied piano with Barry Maleham and participated in masterclasses with, amongst others, Andras Schiff and Steven Osborne. Winning 1st prize at the 2008 EPTA Piano Competition led to study at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with John Lill and Peter Donohoe.
He is currently Assistant Director of Music at Westbourne House School in Chichester and Organist at Midhurst Parish Church. He is also Director of The Shopwyke Singers.
