About us
Stowmarket Chorale is the new name of the former Stowmarket Choral Society which was founded in 1901 and performed from that time until its change of name in 2005. The choir has become one of Suffolk’s leading and most enterprising. We generally give three to four concerts each season .These normally range from a major choral work early in spring to a lighter summer concert and a Christmas carol concert.
The choir has performed at venues throughout Eastern England.In 1996 we mounted a full scale Gala Opera Evening at the Corn Exchange, Ipswich.In 2001, to celebrate our centenary, we performed Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius in St Edmundsbury Cathedral and in 2004 Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony was sung at Snape Maltings.
We have been on five European concert tours.The first was in 1994 when we performed at Eglise St Marie in Paris and in Chartres Cathedral.The second in 1997 presented concerts in the Rhineland towns of Bacharach and Koblenz.In 2000 the choir performed in the Netherlands in Zutphen and Kampen.The fourth tour was to Denmark in 2003 when concerts were given in Ribe and Aarhus.
In April 2006 the choir travelled to Prague and, together with other concerts, performed Dream of Gerontius in the Smetana Hall with the Symphony Orchestra of the Prague Conservatoire and the English Arts Chorale.The tour was preceded by an exchange visit of the Orchestra in March when Dream of Gerontius was performed in Ely and Rochester Cathedrals.
The Society was delighted to welcome Leslie Olive as Music Director in 2001.Leslie has worked with many choirs and orchestras countrywide and has brought his extensive experience and knowledge of choral conducting to the position.
Friends of the Society
Would you like to become a Friend of Stowmarket Chorale? For an annual subscription of £15 you will be entitled to £1 off any tickets for all concerts and will be very welcome at our social events.Friends also receive their own newsletter.To become a Friend please contact Carol Henwood on 01449 675293.
Stowmarket Chorale is a Registered Charity