The present society originated as the choral group of Southwell Arts Society in 1959. Its popularity increased and in 1964 Southwell Choral Society emerged under the leadership of founder conductor Peter Wood. The present conductor, Nicholas Thorpe took over when Peter retired in November 1997. The society now has over 100 active singing members and a thriving group of non-singing Friends of Southwell Choral Society. The Society believes it has a responsibility to:

 

· Promote the choral tradition by involving the community in making music at all levels.

· Offer quality performances of the classic repertoire  and encourage modern composers by performing newer lesser-known works.

· Involve young people by encouraging them to join Southwell Junior Choral and participate in performances.

 

 

Autumn and Spring concerts are performed in the setting of our historic Minster and in the Summer at other local venues. Rehearsals take place weekly in term-time in the main hall of the Minster School Nottingham Road site on Monday evenings from 7.30—9.15pm. The choir takes part in other concerts such as ‘Carols For All’ in the Minster, and have taken part in trips abroad.

 

The choir is a registered charity run by an active and dedicated voluntary committee. We are grateful for the continuing support of our president Sir David Lumsden.

 

Nicholas Thorpe: Director of Music

 

Nicholas Thorpe first directed choirs as a pupil at Southwell Minster Grammar School in House Music Competitions. As a student at King Alfred’s College, Winchester he directed the student chamber choir for two years. On his return to Nottinghamshire he became accompanist to the Freda White Choir, Mansfield and when Freda retired conducted them for ten years. In 1987 he became director of the Newstead Abbey Singers and has conducted them in over 100 concerts in venues in the Midlands and abroad. He has trained choirs and singing groups as part of his teaching work for over thirty-five years and founded Southwell Junior Choral. He has conducted Notts Federation of Women’s Institute Choirs Christmas Celebration for the past eight years.

 

His involvement with choral music began as a Southwell Minster chorister, continuing as Lay Clerk before leaving school. He was a Choral Scholar in Winchester before returning to Southwell as a Lay Clerk. He has observed conductors from the piano stool as accompanist, and playing for ballet classes and singing lessons was also good experience.

 

Nick enjoys all kinds of music but particularly relishes the challenge of new or unusual pieces and promoting the work of local composers. He has been involved in commissioning and performing pieces by Alan Bullard, Peter Maxwell Davies, Kevin Malone and Robert Steadman and conducted the first performance in the East Midlands of Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man.

 

He joined the Association of British Choral Directors at its inception and is the Deputy Chair and Midland Region Chair. At its events and Conventions he has been able to learn from renowned choral directors from all over the world. He is currently Director of Music at Wellow House School and also teaches at Lowes Wong School, Southwell and High Oakham School, Mansfield.

 

 

Brian Robins: Assistant Conductor and Accompanist

 

Brian Robins joined Southwell Choral Society in 1995. At that time Peter Wood was both conductor and accompanist; when Brian offered to act as accompanist Peter immediately gave him the job! Early in 2000 he became Assistant conductor as well and he conducts the choir in the annual ‘Carols for All’ charity concert given by Southwell Lions.

 

Now retired, Brian worked as a music teacher in schools in England and later worked as Deputy Head at the Joseph Whitaker School in Nottinghamshire. Southwell Choral Society owes Brian a huge debt of gratitude for his time and hard work given so generously.

 

 

The Ensemble of Southwell

 

The Ensemble of Southwell draws principally on the musical talent within the county and particularly around Southwell. Many of them are talented young musicians looking for experience in a professional arena before going on to further their music studies. Led and created by Duncan Lloyd, they are now the resident orchestra with Southwell Choral Society and have ably performed demanding works with the Society, premiere performances and worked with famous soloists, most notably Willard White.

 

ABOUT THE CHOIR