Gravesham Choral Society was preceded by the Gravesend Philharmonic Society, founded in 1938. This group comprised a nucleus of members of the Bible Society Choir and the old Northfleet Choral Society conducted by Braden Hunwick. Its stated aim was: - to present the very best of choral music with the finest soloists and orchestras obtainable, for the benefit of the music-loving public of Gravesend, combined with the pleasure and satisfaction of achievement obtained by the members of the Society. Few could argue with that.

However, programme notes from both 1951 and 1959 mention the financial problems of presenting first class concerts and it seems likely that these difficulties finally overwhelmed the Society. It therefore disbanded in the 1960s.

Gravesend Grammar School teacher, David Goddard and schools' Music Inspector Joyce Honnor founded the present-day Gravesham Choral Society in 1978. Both had initiated concerts for young musicians in the area, which required choral singing early in 1978.
An appeal went out to parents and friends to supplement the school choirs and these adults so enjoyed the experience, having sung together in Handel's Messiah and Faur?s Requiem by spring 1978 that they formed the Society with a membership of about 60 singers drawn from the locality.

Under the guidance and directorship of David Goddard they re-introduced choral music to Gravesend.

Rehearsals began in September 1978 for the first performance, Haydn The Creation in December of that year.

In 1981 David Goddard relinquished his post to study for the ministry and Alan Vincent was appointed to succeed him as Director of Music. CLICK HERE for Alan Vincent's biography.

Under Alan’s exceptional leadership, the Society gained prestige and went from strength to strength.

Our membership now exceeds 140 with singers travelling from a wide area ranging from South East London right across North Kent to East Kent and South through Mid-Kent to the Weald. As well as "trotting out" sure-fire favourites, Alan's philosophy of not repeating a work too often has meant that the Society and audiences have been introduced to music not often heard outside prominent concert halls of the country.

Recent seasons have not been exceptions with performances of works such as Walton's Belshazzar's Feast, Paul Patterson's Magnificat, Elgar's The Kingdom, Dvorak's Requiem and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms.

The Society's principal aim of presenting very high quality performances attracts large audiences and enables the Society to engage first rate soloists and orchestral players.

Our Orchestra comprises senior members of the Kent County Youth orchestra, ex-members and other professional players, many of whom live locally.

Our present rehearsal pianist is the talented and experienced Roger Harris who succeeded the gifted Michael Tillett who retired from playing for us on a regular basis but is still keen to help us out when necessary. Each of these musicians has enhanced the enjoyment and performances of the choir.

Rehearsals are intense, demanding, but fun, making the whole experience highly satisfying! Members of the Society are friendly and welcoming to new members. We hold several social events during the year.

We promote three major concerts each year. One of these is usually performed at Rochester Cathedral enabling us to reach an even wider audience. In recent years we have we have performed Beethoven's inspiring Missa Solemnis to an extremely appreciative audience. Other concerts, including the Christmas Carol Concerts are usually performed at St George's Church, Gravesend.

In June 2003 we ventured into the world of opera when we served as Chorus to Mantissa Opera in their performance of Bizet's Carmen at St George's Maritime. In May 2005 the Society performed Carl Orff's Carmina Burana at St George's Chatham, Maritime. At the same concert the Society performed Constant Lambert's "Rio Grande" and Sir Peter Maxwell Davie's "The Kestrel Road" which he composed to mark his 70th year. "Making Music" invited Gravesham Choral Society to be one of the choirs to perform this music for the first time.

Participation in County Singing Events and an annual fundraising "Instant" performance of a well-known work give pleasure to an audience and up to 300 singers, complete a typically busy and varied season's activity.

Historical notes on Gravesend Philharmonic Society and the formation of Gravesham Choral Society provided by Miss Mary Sargeant

Copyright © Gravesham Choral Society 2007