Choir History:

The Choir was formed in November 1968 by its first conductor, Robert Walker, and developed its own identity by performing, annually, two concerts of major works and a Christmas Wassail.

Jeffery Babb was appointed as the Choir’s 3rd conductor in 1979, during his time the choir continued to sing with considerable success with works ranging from a cappella16th Century music and Bach’s B Minor Mass, to specially commissioned Madrigals composed by its first Conductor along with music by 20th Century composers including by Vaughan Williams, Elgar, Britten, Bernstein, Ravel and Debussy. The Choir has joined forces with other Choral Societies to perform larger 19th century works such as Verdi’s “Requiem”, while intending to remain a small chamber choir for authentic performances of the Baroque and Classical repertoire. The Choir has visited Germany and has sung with the National Sinfonia and the English Chamber Orchestra. The Choir has also performed on BBC Radio.

November 2001 saw the appointment of Steven Maxson as the Choir’s fourth Musical Director since which time the Choir has performed music by composers including Bach, Brahms, Karl Jenkins, Handel, Haydn, Faure, Mozart, Poulenc, Verdi, Walton, amongst others, as well as a concert of Jazz.  April 2009 saw a performance of Handel’s Messiah, as part of the Choir’s 40th Anniversary Season, with a further performance in April 2019, for the Choir’s 50th Anniversary Season. We performed J.S. Bach’s B Minor Mass in Grimsby Central Hall in October 2014, with the Grimsby Philharmonic Choir.

Dr Alison Willis joined us in November 2022. We performed our first Christmas concert with her in December 2022 and are looking forward to performing with her for many years to come.  We have performed music by composers such as Leighton, Faure, Vivaldi and Rutter alongside others, including light folk and popular numbers.

We are keen to work with future generations of musicians, and frequently work with local young musicians, as well as using up-and-coming musicians as soloists.