Handel's Messiah

Join us for Handel’s Messiah – A festive and inclusive performance for all. Get your tickets now!

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Our history & mission

Founded in 2015, the East London School of Classical Music (ELSCM) has dedicated itself to making classical music accessible and inclusive for everyone.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary in December 2025, ELSCM offers educational programs, community concerts, and outreach initiatives that foster a love for classical music across all backgrounds.

10 years of excellence

For ten remarkable years, the East London School of Classical Music has been transforming lives through the power of classical music.

What began as a vision to make classical music accessible to all has blossomed into a thriving community where students from every walk of life—from curious beginners to accomplished musicians—come together to discover, learn, and create.

Our journey has been marked by countless moments of joy: the sparkle in a child’s eyes hearing their first symphony, the pride of adult learners mastering challenging pieces, and the collective triumph of our community performances that have graced venues across East London

As an independent music charity, ELSCM has remained steadfast in our commitment to breaking down barriers in classical music education. We’ve welcomed thousands of students regardless of age, background, or financial circumstances, proving that classical music truly belongs to everyone..

As we celebrate this milestone, we’re more inspired than ever about the future. The ELSCM family continues to grow, and there’s never been a better time to join us.

Join the ELSCM family today and help us write the next inspiring chapter of our musical journey together.

HACS Philharmonia Chorus (formerly Hampstead Adventist Choral Society)

A choral ensemble consisting of approximately 25 adults mainly from BAME backgrounds who love to sing and praise God. It was founded in December 1999 by former Director/Conductor Mr. Edison Weekes, his late father and founder, Mr. Livingston Weekes, and Fiona D. Pacquette. The choral society has consistently been accompanied by an orchestra known as the HACS Orchestra, which initially included only 15 players, but this number has now increased to 60. The objective of the Hampstead Adventist Choral Society (HACS) has been to present annual performances for the community towards the end of each year, with a repertoire primarily focused on classical music, most notably featuring Handel’s Messiah. The inaugural performance of the Messiah took place in December 2000 at the Hampstead Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the audience has grown larger each year. In 2019, the name of the HACS brand was changed to the HACS Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra. To commemorate the 25th Anniversary this year, a special performance of Handel’s Messiah will be held at the Hampstead Seventh-day Adventist Church, including a collaborative effort with the East London School of Classical Music (ELSCM), which is also celebrating its 10th Anniversary.

Experience the Majesty of Handel’s Messiah (Highlights)

A Night of Music, Meaning & Inspiration

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Step into an evening of timeless beauty as the HACS Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra, joined by the East London School of Classical Music Project Orchestra (ELSCM), bring to life the highlights of G. F. Handel’s legendary oratorio — Messiah.

Supporting the Next Generation of Musicians

This event is more than a concert — it’s a fundraising initiative dedicated to empowering underprivileged music students.
Your presence and contributions will help us:

What awaits you

Prepare to be moved by soaring vocals, powerful harmonies, and the magnificent orchestral brilliance of Handel’s masterpiece. From “Comfort Ye” to the triumphant “Hallelujah Chorus,” this performance promises a spiritually uplifting and musically unforgettable experience.

Find Us Here

Hampstead Seventh-day Adventist Church

We warmly invite you to join us at the Hampstead Seventh-day Adventist Church, located at 66 Haverstock Hill, London NW3 2BE. Our church is conveniently situated and easily accessible by public transport, making your journey to us straightforward and hassle-free. For those who prefer to drive, we also offer various parking options nearby for your convenience.

We are excited to host our upcoming concert and would love for you to be a part of this special event. It’s an excellent opportunity to enjoy great music, connect with our vibrant community, and experience the warmth and fellowship that our church embodies.

Mark your calendars and come along; we look forward to seeing you there and sharing this memorable occasion with you!

Abiodun Falode
LEAD ORGANIST
Alexandra Bell-Cobbold
GUEST SOPRANO SOLOIST
Chikezie Chike-Michael
BASS-BARITONE SOLOIST
Deborah Holborn
CONTRALTO SOLOIST
Fiona D Pacquette
CONCERT DIRECTOR
Kwao Tetteh
ORGANIST
Matthew Umole
CONDUCTOR
Robert Carr
TENOR SOLOIST
Frank Rutayisire
ORGANIST

Our Performers

Meet the talented musicians bringing Handel’s Messiah to life.

Our Dedicated Tutors

Guiding every note towards perfection.

Fiona D Pacquette

Music Director

Fiona Dwanell Pacquette, with degrees in Music from Colchester Institute, currently manages the East London School of Music and directs both the HACS Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra.

Jose Manuel Gil Munoz

Flute, Recorder & Sax Tutor

born in Madrid into a family of musicians, began studying saxophone and music theory at age 10.
At 23, he switched to the flute, which became his main instrument.
He performs as a soloist, in duets, and with orchestras.
In June 2015, he joined ELSCM as a woodwind tutor.

Kieron Daniel

Assistant Music Director, Head of Strings, Strings & Piano Tutor

Kieron Daniel began playing the violin at age 4, piano age 5 and has been teaching music professionally for more than a decade. He is proficient in Viola and Cello among other instruments and received his Diploma in Violin from the ABRSM exam board in 2019.

Chikezie Chike-Michael

Bass-Baritone Soloist & Voice Trainer

Chike started singing as a Tenor at the age of 9 under the tutelage of Amorelle Inanga and Joshua Sarpong. At 16, Chike commenced singing lessons and soon became lead soloist in his choir.

What Our students say

Hear from our talented students about their experiences with ELSCM 

Ever since I started learning music with ELSCM I have enjoyed everything: the concerts, solos, trying new pieces, meeting people and much more. I have benefited from playing a number of instruments alongside learning the theory.
Michael Asamoah
Michael Asamoah
Student
I heard about ELSCM through my church. At the time we learnt piano with our dad who taught us the basic rudiments of music. Fiona Pacquette (being the Church Conductor and Managing Director of ELSCM), was happy to invite us to improve our fluency in playing piano and add other instruments. She now teaches us Music theory.
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Student
ELSCM really helped me realise that it is never too late to learn. The encouragement, support, knowledge of all things music and implementing a "you can do it!" attitude has helped me progress in my music theory exams and practically playing.
Karen Ndebele
Karen Ndebele
Student
For the past 4 years, I really appreciate the teaching I have received in Violin and Piano. I started from zero and struggled especially with Piano at the very beginning, but Kieron kept motivating and pushing me to not give up. I am on course of preparing for grade 4 violin. I appreciate the fact that Kieron took time out of his holiday to continue teaching me on zoom. Thank you Kieron for not giving up on me and being always there.
Emmanuella Asamoah
Emmanuella Asamoah
Student

Support Our Mission

Your contribution helps us continue our mission of nurturing creativity, developing young talent, and bringing the joy of music to our community.
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