The Kelly Choral Society was founded in 1976 by the Reverend Anthony Curry, Director of Music at Kelly College. His ambition was to establish in Tavistock a mixed choir that could perform major choral works for pleasure.
The choir is approximately 65 strong and is accompanied by orchestra, organ or piano as the pieces demand. Solo parts are usually performed by professionals.
Our Musical Director is Andrew Wilson, Director of Music at Kelly College and a nationally recognised composer.
The Society performs two or three concerts per year. The two major ones, generally accompanied by orchestra, are held in Tavistock’s Parish Church of St. Eustachius, in early December and before Easter.
Rehearsals for these begin in early September and January respectively.
The third concert is usually performed in late May or June, with a shorter rehearsal period starting after Easter. The Society then ceases singing during the summer.
Rehearsals take place in Kelly College’s Melvin Hall on Thursday evenings from 7.45 to 9.30 pm, during term time only.
Membership is by annual subscription. There is an age concession and no subscription for students in full-time education.
Although aspiring to high standards, the society welcomes those who wish to develop their singing abilities. Auditions with the Musical Director are usually only required if the section for the voice concerned is oversubscribed.
No prior connection with Kelly College is necessary.
Prospective members are welcome to attend up to six rehearsals on a trial basis, without any obligation …… so why not give it a try?
Rehearsals start on 9 September 2010 for the performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, which will take place on Saturday 4 December.
For further information either of the following committee members would be pleased to hear from you:
Tim Jones 01822-613803
Sarah Berry 01822-612693
PIECES PERFORMED IN RECENT YEARS
Haydn – Creation
Brahms – Requiem
Schubert – Mass in G
Bach – Christmas Oratorio
Vivaldi – Gloria
Wilson – The Faery Feast
Mendelssohn – Elijah
Schubert – Mass in A Flat
Bach – St. John Passion
Purcell – Ode on St.Cecilia’s Day
Mozart – Requiem
Handel – Acis & Galatea
Schönberg – Les Misérables
Britten – St Nicolas
Beethoven – Mass in C
Haydn – Little Organ Mass
Handel – Chandos Anthems
Bach – Peasant Cantata
Fauré – Requiem
Wilson – The Mistletoe Bough
Handel – Messiah
Weber – Mass in G
Vivaldi – Magnificat
Mozart – Missa Brevis
Handel – Zadok the Priest
Lloyd Webber – Suite from Evita
Rossini – Petite Messe Solenelle
Dvorák – Stabat Mater
Bach – Sleepers, Awake
Bruckner – Mass in F minor
Mendelssohn – Hymn of Praise
Parry – Blest Pair of Sirens
Elgar – The Music Makers
Haydn – The Seasons
Vaughan Williams – Fantasia on Christmas Carols
Beethoven – Missa Solemnis
Wagner – Choral Fantasia on Tannhauser
Mozart – Mass in C minor
Kodaly – Laudes Organi
Puccini – Messa di Gloria
Stanford – The Blue Bird
Bizet – Te Deum
Poulenc – Gloria
Britten – Hymn to St Cecilia
Brahms – Love Song Waltzes
Bach – St Matthew Passion
Dvorák – Mass in D
Mozart – Vespers
Verdi – Grand Chorus from Aïda
Wilson – Grendel’s End