London Adventist Chorale

The London Adventist Chorale was formed in 1981 by founder Director John Tolman, who sought to gather the best singers that he could find in the Adventist Church to present quality music with a diverse repertoire encompassing spirituals, classical masterpieces, traditional hymn arrangements and contemporary music.

For nine years the group enjoyed a modest degree of success but the entry into the Sainsbury’s Choir of the Year competition in 1991 expanded their witness.  They subsequently won the title in the 1994/1995 competition, which took their ministry to new heights.  Derek Hoyte succeeded John Tolman in the leadership of the choir and retired in January of 1997, after which Ken Burton assisted by Tina Brooks proceeded to lead the choir.  In recent time both Tina Brooks and Aleta King have stepped into the role of Musical Director and Ken Burton acts as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor.

The Chorale has sung in many of the United Kingdom’s famous auditoriums such as Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall and Barbican Hall; St Martin-in-the-Fields and St John’s,  Smith Square.  They have frequently featured on BBC radio and television programmes.  In addition to the many concerts which they undertake each year, the Chorale have toured in France, Holland, Spain, Zimbabwe, The United States of America, Eire, Northern Ireland, Turkey and Australia.   Recent performances have included BBC Radio 2 Brian Kay Show, Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey and the Arts and Business Awards at the Olivier Theatre.  A special invitation was extended to the Chorale to perform at the Classical Concert ‘Prom at the Palace’ as part of the celebrations of HM The Queen’s Golden Jubilee. The choir was amongst performers such as the BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra under the directorship of Conductor Laureate Sir Andrew Davis, Sir Thomas Allen, Mstislav Rostropovich and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

Ken Burton was also interviewed by David Dimbleby as part of the Jubilee procession on the 4^th June 2002 where the gospel procession of 5000 singers formed a large part of the pageant for the Jubilee.

Recordings by the choir include Deep River (Paradisum) and Steal Away, featuring Ruby Philogene, Mezzo-soprano (EMI Debut Series). The LAC are in the process of recording a new album for 2004.

Most recently the Chorale sang for the Winston Churchill Foundation event hosted by Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill when the keynote speaker was President Bill Clinton.