Capel Choral Society celebrates 110 years

After their appearance on the BBC’s Countryfile on October 12, the choir were surprised and delighted by the messages received from former singers and long-lost friends, and would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their good wishes.

And what was next? Well, its birthday – the choir was founded on October 22 1904, so we are celebrating the 110th anniversary of the meeting that agreed that ‘there was sufficient musical talent in the village to form such a society’.

The choir took part in the inaugural Leith Hill Musical Festival in 1905, and has participated in every Festival since; it is the only choir with this record. At our usual Monday rehearsal there was a ceremonial cutting of a cake and a drinking of toasts, while remembering all the singers, music and conductors in the Choir’s long history.

Then it was back to work – we have now started rehearsing for the Christmas Season during which we will be singing carols at Polesden Lacey at the invitation of the National Trust, on Sunday December 14, closely followed by our Christmas Concert in Capel Church on Monday December 15.

We would be very pleased to welcome you on these occasions, or to join us at rehearsals in the New Year when we will be preparing for the 2015 Leith Hill Festival in the Spring – we are very excited about the prospect of singing a new piece especially written for the Festival by world famous composer Bob Chilcott.

See information about, and pictures of, the choir on our web site, www.capelchoralsociety.com - or contact our secretary at [email protected] or phone 01306 712365

Pictured is conductor Peter Ford cutting the cake.

Report and picture contributed by Ian Moir, Capel Choral Society.