The choir was founded as the West London Vocal Ensemble in 1995 by Keith Murphy and Jean Carter, who was its first conductor. It was conceived as, and continues to be a small chamber choir, where each voice makes an essential contribution to the overall sound. From the outset, the choir performed a wide repertoire of popular and classical music, ancient and modern, accompanied and unaccompanied.
In 1997, the West London Vocal Ensemble made its first overseas tour to Venice. This remains a highlight for everyone who took part. For many, it was their first experience of the joy of singing together for an extended period. Added to this was the warmth of the Venetian audiences and the wonderful opportunity to sing Mass in St Mark’s Basilica.
The choir followed this with an equally memorable tour to Prague and Vienna in May 2000.
In 2005, the choir re-located to Egham in Surrey and began to rehearse in The Hythe Centre. We changed our name to The Hythe Singers and are now well established as a choir for the local community.
We have travelled in the UK, performing in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, in Wallingford, Wantage, and as the choir in residence at Lichfield Cathedral and at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.