The origins of the Hertford Choral Society go back to September 1938 when a group of 12 people met to sing together. This group continued until, in November 1951, there was an inaugural meeting of the newly-constituted Hertford Choir, which was to be known as The Hertford Choir. Their first committee meeting was held in the same month, when the Treasurer (Maisie Ditton) reported that there was £5 in the choir fund with which to open an account with Barclays Bank. The programme for the Christmas concert was to be 2/6d (adult) and 1/6d (child). Price included admission!! The Constitution had been drawn up by Stephen Wilkinson, who was appointed conductor. The chairman, Richard Hitch, wished it to be noted that his was an annual appointment – though he remained as Chairman for 30 years.

Since 1950, the Hertford Choral Society has had five conductors :
1950 – 1953 Stephen Wilkinson
1953 – 1959 Evelyn Webb
1960 – 1972 Clifton Kelynack
1973 – 1977 Edwin Willson
Since 1977 – Derek Harrison

It was at a committee meeting in April 1969 that it
was decided to recommend to all members at the forthcoming AGM that the choir name be changed to Hertford Choral Society. By the time of a committee meeting in June 1969, this had already happened!

Today the choir has around 150 members who come from a wide area of East Hertfordshire and North London. For many years the Society operated as a local authority evening class but became independent in 1951.