Press Release
28th June 2024
Wimbledon Choral appoints Daniel Mahoney as its new Music Director succeeding Neil Ferris
 Wimbledon Choral, one of the oldest and most highly regarded amateur symphonic choirs in the South East, today announces the appointment of Daniel Mahoney as its Music Director from 1 July 2024. He succeeds Neil Ferris who has led the choir for 15 years. Neil’s final concert as Wimbledon Choral Music Director will be on 29 June 2024.
Daniel is an accomplished and in demand conductor, tenor, and guitarist, who divides his time between the UK and USA. He is the Director of Music of the Reading Bach Choir and Musical Director of the Dorking Choral Society. He has worked extensively in the UK and USA, with choirs like the Zamir Chorale of Boston, the MIT Women’s Chorus, the University of Birmingham Voices for John Wilson and the Birmingham University Singers. He previously held the Conducting Fellowship of Schola Cantorum of Oxford. Daniel was a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Tanglewood Symphony Chorus. He has performed at the BBC Proms with Sir Simon Rattle and Edward Gardner as a member of the CBSO Chorus. He has sung with Boston’s Cantata Singers, Renaissance Men, and Canto Armonico. He brings a wealth of experience to Wimbledon Choral.
Commenting on his appointment, Daniel Mahoney said: “I am humbled and honoured to be chosen as Music Director of Wimbledon Choral. They are one of London's leading amateur choirs with an outstanding reputation for excellent programming performed at the highest standards. I am excited by their rich history and ambitious forward-thinking outlook. I look forward to being part of the next stage of their long musical journey.”
Alex Youel, Chair of Wimbledon Choral, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Daniel has been appointed as our new Music Director. With his drive and enthusiasm, we can look forward to an exciting future, building on Neil Ferris’s many achievements with us and bringing new programmes, commissions and musical projects to our community.”
Neil Ferris added: “I am so happy that the superb Daniel Mahoney has been appointed. He will bring his warmth of character and excellent skills to taking this wonderful and committed group of singers to a brilliant and bright future.”
Notes for Editors:
- Wimbledon Choral is over 100 years old, established in the early months of the First World War as a result of an event to raise funds for Belgian refugees. Today it is a modern and dynamic auditioned choir of over 180 singers. It performs in major venues in and around London, including the Cadogan Hall, Southwark Cathedral, the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, as well as in more local venues in Wimbledon and Southfields. The choir’s repertoire ranges from the major classical to more contemporary pieces. It is proud of having commissioned several works, including, to mark its centenary, a requiem mass from Cecilia MacDowell, the Da Vinci Requiem. The choir performed the premiere at the Royal Festival Hall in 2019 and, after the pandemic, finally released the recording in 2022. Opera Today said of the premiere: “Wimbledon Choral Society were magnificent, the intonation and timing exquisite.” More information can be found at www.wimbledon-choral.org.uk.
- More information about Daniel Mahoney can be found at www.danielmahoneymusic.com.
- Wimbledon Choral’s next concert is at Holy Trinity, Sloane Square, on Saturday 29 June. Further details at www.wimbledon-choral.org.uk/tickets. Please join us to celebrate our final concert with Neil Ferris.
- Daniel Mahoney’s first concert will be at Holy Trinity, Sloane Square, on Saturday 16 November: www.wimbledon-choral.org.uk/popularis.
- Neil Ferris will be taking on a new role as the Conductor of the Leith Hill Music Festival, as well continuing as the Chorus Director of the BBC Symphony Chorus and Artistic Director of the professional chamber choir, Sonoro.
Wimbledon Choral is a registered charity with The Charity Commission (No. 263150).
Please contact Ian Gleeson on vicechair@wimbledon-choral.org.uk for any questions.
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