Before 1970, there had been
a number of choirs in Aberystwyth, notably the Aberystwyth Borough Choral
Society. They had performed oratorios with organ accompaniment in
local chapels and churches or in the King's Hall, giving the same work two
or three nights in succession. There were groups associated with the
Music Department of the University such as the madrigal singers and,
precursor, to the Male Voice Choir, the Post Office Gleemen. However,
by the mid-60's the town's mixed-voice choir had died leaving a gap in our
musical life.
The idea of a new town choir arose over
coffee in the Penguin Cafe, favoured haunt of staff from the Music
Department and their friends. In the early summer of 1970 Geraint
John, cellist in the Department's professional string quartet, who had had
experience in choral conducting, together with a few friends who were keen
singers, decided to find out if there was sufficient support. A
written invitation was sent to specific addresses supported by a more
general invitation spread by word of mouth to meet at the old Welsh School
in Alexandra Road. The inaugural meeting on 16 June 1970 filled the
school hall and it was immediately obvious that the proposal was
enthusiastically supported.
It was decided quite early
on that there should be a pattern of two concerts a year. At this
time, concerts were held in the King's Hall with the first performance at
the new Aberystwyth Arts Centre Great Hall in November 1975. The
King's Hall continued to be the venue for the Spring concerts until March
1979 and from then on all concerts have been held in the Great Hall.
The first performance was of the ever-popular
Handel's Messiah. Geraint John conducted the choir from that first concert
right up until Spring 2002 when he completed his dedicated service to the
choir with a final and extremely well-attended Messiah. He left the
choir in the very capable hands of David Russell Hulme. David is
well-known as Director of the University Music Centre. A professional
conductor, David is a world-authority on Gilbert and Sullivan and makes
frequent trips round the world to work in his area of expertise.
While
still finding time to perform the central classics, such as Messiah and
Elijah, the Society has steadily enlarged its repertoire with performances
of Mozart's Coronation Mass and Solemn Vespers, Rossini's Petite Messe
Solonelle and Stabat Mater, Poulenc's Gloria, John Rutter's Requiem and
Magnificat, Haydn's Maria Teresa Mass and Paukenmesse, Orff's Carmina Burana,
Elgar's Gerontius and Musicmakers and Bizet's Carmen.
Every concert is special, with particular
memories for those who took part. We all hope our audiences feel that
way too.
Before 1970, there had been
a number of choirs in Aberystwyth, notably the Aberystwyth Borough Choral
Society. They had performed oratorios with organ accompaniment in
local chapels and churches or in the King's Hall, giving the same work two
or three nights in succession. There were groups associated with the
Music Department of the University such as the madrigal singers and,
precursor, to the Male Voice Choir, the Post Office Gleemen. However,
by the mid-60's the town's mixed-voice choir had died leaving a gap in our
musical life.
It was decided quite early
on that there should be a pattern of two concerts a year. At this
time, concerts were held in the King's Hall with the first performance at
the new Aberystwyth Arts Centre Great Hall in November 1975. The
King's Hall continued to be the venue for the Spring concerts until March
1979 and from then on all concerts have been held in the Great Hall.
While
still finding time to perform the central classics, such as Messiah and
Elijah, the Society has steadily enlarged its repertoire with performances
of Mozart's Coronation Mass and Solemn Vespers, Rossini's Petite Messe
Solonelle and Stabat Mater, Poulenc's Gloria, John Rutter's Requiem and
Magnificat, Haydn's Maria Teresa Mass and Paukenmesse, Orff's Carmina Burana,
Elgar's Gerontius and Musicmakers and Bizet's Carmen.
