Concerts
The society presents three main concerts annually and is fortunate to perform locally, with soloists and instrumentalists usually at the Parish Church of St Mary of Charity.
Concerts are usually presented in the spring and early autumn. There is also the popular Carols with the Choral at Christmas, at which the choir is joined by Faversham Mission Band and local primary school children. A roaming band of carollers also brings the Christmas spirit to the town. The Society also gave an acclaimed performance at the newly inaugurated Faversham Festival.
Fundraising occasions, such as wine and wisdom evenings, and the highly enjoyable Cabaret Event at the Arden theatre are held during the year to help with the society’s finances.
Programme for Rest of 2012
Autumn Concert
Saturday 20th October 7.30pm, Parish Church of St Mary of Charity
Langlais: Messe Solonelle
Arvo Part: Berliner Messe
Faure: Requiem
Soloist: Alex Mills Bass-Baritone
Steven Sivyer: Organ
Christmas Concert
Saturday 15 December 7.30pm, Parish Church of St Mary of Charity
A Brief History of the Society
Faversham Choral Society is an open-access choir of mixed voices of all ages, often described by new members as “the friendliest choir in this part of Kent”.
It meets weekly for rehearsal, on Wednesday evenings from 7.45pm until 9.45pm in the United Church hall in Preston Street, Faversham, under the leadership of its energetic musical director, Ben Saul.
The society was established in 1966 by the late Fred Ash and was an amalgamation of several small singing groups in the area.
The aim has always been to provide a friendly atmosphere for people who enjoy singing to get together and perform a wide variety of works from oratorio through operetta to madrigals, part songs and carols.
The society celebrated its 40th anniversary with a highly acclaimed performance of Handel’s Messiah, and the first Faversham Proms Concert. Since then it has performed Mozart’s Requiem and, under Ben Saul, more modern pieces by John Rutter, Carl Orff's Carmina Burana and Handel’s Coronation anthems.
The society has always encouraged youngsters to sing and in 2011 formed the Society's Youth Choir drawn from local schools. They sing at most of our concerts.
The society is a charitable organisation that relies solely on contributions generated by concerts throughout Kent. The proceeds from the concerts help to maintain the running of the choir and thus enable it to give performances in aid of other local charities such as Demelza House Children’s Hospice and Catching Lives.
Faversham Choral Society is investigating the possibility of sponsorship by local businesses to help with the increasing cost of these performances.
New members
New members are always welcome. There are no entrance auditions required, just a love for singing.
We meet at 7.45pm each Wednesday in the United Church Hall Preston Street.
Further Information
Visit our website www.favchoral.org
or contact:
Malcolm Phelps
Faversham Choral Society
07968 227856
malcolmdphelps@gmail.com