About the choir
Exeter Choral Society is a friendly, mixed-voice, non-auditioning choir and performs two concerts each year with professional soloists and musicians.
The society was founded in 1943 as the Whipton Choral Society and has existed in its current form as the Exeter Choral Society since 2003. The choir is a member of "Making Music" and has been a Registered Charity 1110060 since 2005. In 2018 we celebrated our 75th anniversary, including an exhibition on 13 October about the life and times of the choir.
We have circa 80 members and rehearse weekly with our Musical Director, Laurence Blyth. Rehearsals are held in central Exeter at the Palace Gate Centre (South Street Baptist Church) on Tuesday evenings at 7.15 pm.
We are very ably accompanied by Matthew Cann who is also a bass Lay Vicar at Exeter Cathedral, a choir conductor, a bass soloist throughout the region, a music teacher and a published composer. We are very grateful for Matthew's support.
We hold a number of social events throughout the year including coffee evenings, post-rehearsal drinks, an annual lunch and a very popular quiz night.
Concerts and social events are organised by the Trustees, of whom there are nine, and other volunteers. Our President, Mrs Carol Hossell, previously served the Society for many years as Chair.
New members are warmly welcomed. Please contact us if you would like to find out more about the choir. No auditions are necessary, but some sight reading ability is helpful. Subscriptions are £40 per term (two terms per annum), with a small reduction for full-time students. There is a small charge of £2 per item for hire of vocal scores. It is possible to pay subscriptions in instalments - just have a word with our Treasurer, Yvonne. For performances you will need a black folder and ladies will need to purchase a red scarf from us for £5.00.
Returning members who have missed a year or more, please also contact the Secretary if you would like to return, in order to be added to our mailing list.
The object of the Society shall be to promote, improve, develop and maintain an appreciation of the art of music, in all its aspects by the presentation of public concerts and by such other ways as the Society through its Trustees shall determine.
Safeguarding: If you are concerned about the safety of a young person or vulnerable adult, please speak to the Chair (Christine) or Secretary (Michelle), or email the Secretary via the Contact Form.
