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WELCOME TO A NEW TERM!
This term we are rehearsing for our next Concert at Witham United Reformed Church in November. We begin on Tuesday 11th September – and it would be lovely to see some new faces – if you are wondering whether to come, why not give it a try? Anyone who enjoyed singing with us last term for our come and sing will be more than welcome to return to us this term. READ OUR PRESS RELEASE HERE
Our term runs through until Christmas, finishing on December 11th with one of our now traditional Christmas ‘Open Rehearsals’when we raise funds for a local charity. The 2019 term recommences on Tuesday, 8th January.
WE REHEARSE at the Witham United Reformed Church, CM8 1AH, from 7.45pm until 9.45pm every Tuesday in term time.
If you would like to find out what our rehearsals are like you can come along without obligation to join and make yourself known to one of us as you arrive. Or, if you prefer that someone looks out for you, ring ahead and speak to our Chairman on 01245 380958, who will make sure that you are properly welcomed. To find directions to the church where we rehearse click here More details about joining the choir or becoming a Friend here
OTHER NEWS THIS TERM: From the AGM
on Tuesday October 2nd we voted in our new chairman: Stephen Northfield. Stephen has been doing such a good job in his role as acting chairman, which he began when Anne Priest left us. We thank him and the hardworking committee for guiding us through another year.
For 60 years the Society has grown progressively under the leadership of seven Music Directors, with Patrick McCarthy joining us in 1995. Each has contributed enthusiastically to the Society’s musical life and development and, together with the warmth and passion for singing of the members, the Society has developed and maintained an integrity which has kept it in the fore of choral tradition in the area.
You can read about how Patrick stepped up to save the Prom at the Royal Albert Hall go to our Personnel Page(bottom right article) follow the link here to the page.
BACKGROUND OF WITHAM CHORAL:
The Society was formed in 1957. In the early years the members enjoyed singing madrigals and short choral pieces suitable for the small group, and occasionally joined with the Essex Musical Association and other societies, including the Ipswich Singers, to perform larger scale works. See aphoto of the choir singing at the Public Hall in December 1974 by CLICKING HERE
SOME OF OUR MOST NOTABLE CHORAL CONTRIBUTIONS
have included a much praised performance of Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius at the renowned Snape Maltings Concert Hall, when we combined with the Ipswich and Colchester Bach Choirs and the Colchester Philharmonic. In 2007 we celebrated our 50th Anniversary Year with a full programme of choral works. These included performances of the Verdi and Brahms Requiems and later in the year, in our exchange with the Evangelische Singgemeinde of Weinheim, two performances of Beethoven’s Mass in C and Christ on the Mount of Olives.
Other works performed include Handel’s Solomon and Israel in Egypt singing with the Ipswich Bach Choir & Dovercourt Choral Society, bringing together some 170 singers. As well as singing at Snape Maltings, we have appeared several times at the Harwich Festival, in G&S HMS Pinafore, Faure Requiem, Haydn Creation, Orf Carmina Burana and most recently peformed in a Last Night of the Proms.
Witham Choral Society is a registered charity No. 261704
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