The Choir

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.

At that time, the Society invited David Wilson-Johnson to become their first President. Under his inspirational advice, the Society began to use professional orchestras; after taking on the gamble, they have never looked back! The Society has something of a reputation for innovation and taking on challenges. Performing Michael Berkeley’s Or shall we die? was one; giving a multi-media performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah was another.

The Society is delighted that Michael Berkeley is their President. Michael has known HCS since that performance of his oratorio Or Shall We Die? in 1987. You will find more information about our new President here - http://www.oup.co.uk/music/repprom/berkeley/

The Society took a leading role in bringing about a formal twinning with Hertford’s twin town, Wildeshausen, in Germany. They visited and hosted the choirs from the Alexanderkirche in Wildeshausen for several years before the towns signed their twinning agreement.

The Hertford Choir (as it was originally called) was of a size that would be more associated with a chamber choir. Over the years numbers have increased – and the repertoire has reflected the opportunities that greater numbers have afforded.

Among the orchestras that the Society has performed with are: London Mozart Players, City of London Sinfonia, English Sinfonia, New London Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Milton Keynes City Orchestra, Young Musicians’ Symphony Orchestra, Hertfordshire County Youth Orchestra, Hertfordshire Baroque Soloists, Westminster Philharmonic Orchestra, London Pro Arte Orchestras, Hertfordshire Baroque Soloists.