Season 2023/24

Next Concert

Matthew Raisbeck – Music Director

Ashford Choral Society

The society had a busy and successful 2022–23 season, with concerts at Wye Church and the Colyer-Fergusson Hall, University of Kent, Canterbury, as well as our annual carol concert.

November 2022 saw a performance of Handel’s Samson at Wye Church.  In December we continued our 60-year-old tradition of raising money for charity through a combination of our annual carol concert and singing by invitation at selected venues.  We also provided a small choir, at the request of hospital management, to sing carols in the week before Christmas, at the William Harvey Hospital, joined by staff, nurses, doctors and patients.

January 2023 began with rehearsals for Faure’s Requiem and Vierne’s Messe Solennelle, performed to a packed audience at Wye Church in March.  The rarely performed Vierne was particularly interesting to sing and the powerful organ accompaniment was tackled with relish by our wonderful accompanist, Tim Woodhead.

We rounded off the season with a performance of Haydn’s Creation at the Colyer-Fergusson Hall in May, an occasion when everything seemed to come together at exactly the right time.

Our singers, friends and audiences come not just from Ashford but from all over the Weald, Romney Marsh and the coastal areas, so do come and join us.  We gratefully acknowledge the generous financial assistance given by our Friends. Anyone interested in becoming a Friend, or being on a mailing list, should contact the Friends’ Secretary Email: friends@ashfordchoral.org.uk  or download the application form here.

Season 2023-24

We now look forward to an inspiring programme of music, beginning with Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle in November.  Our annual carol concert will take place on 16th December.  From January we’ll be getting to know some beautiful music by Schubert, Mozart, Durante and Rheinberger for our April concert in Canterbury (see poster here).

New members

The Society welcomes new members of all ages and musical abilities – so if you have been thinking about joining a choir, come along to a rehearsal or email Virginia Brown at secretary@ashfordchoral.org.uk. There is no charge for attending two rehearsals and scores will be made available.

Subscriptions

The annual subscription from September 2023 is £144 – at equivalent to around £4.50 per rehearsal this is still excellent value for all the joy that learning and singing together brings – not to mention the opportunity for each member to participate in concerts at a very high level, with orchestra and professional soloists. Under 25s join for free. More details here.

Ashford Choral Society is a member of the National Association of Choirs and the Ashford Federation of Arts.

National Association of Choirs