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 The
choir was formed in 1961 by Geoffrey Stark (pictured left) from
members of the Signals Research and Development Establishment,
Christchurch. Geoffrey had transferred from the Royal Aircraft
Establishment at Farnborough where he had been a viola player with
the RAE Orchestra as well as conductor of the Farnham and Bourne
Choral Society. Initially, madrigals, chorales and part songs were
performed.
Widening the membership
Membership was extended in 1962, to singers outside the SRDE. With
rehearsals held every other week during the winter months, the
subsequent increase in members made possible in 1963 a performance
of Bach Peasant Cantata and other items at the Red House
Museum in Christchurch.
First use of orchestras
From 1964 orchestras were used in concerts where necessary, starting
with a performance of Purcell Dido and Aeneas. The recruitment
of singers continued and it became clear that under the guidance
of Geoffrey it would be possible to attempt the larger and more
complex works of the choral repertoire.
Change to present name
By 1967, with growing membership outside of SRDE, the name 'Grange
Choral Society' was adopted, and a regular pattern of weekly
rehearsals, and two concerts a year was established. Initially
concerts were held in various churches and schools, until 1969,
when Mozart Requiem was performed in Christchurch Priory;
this became the choir's home.
Larger choral works
From these humble beginnings the society was able to promote much
larger choral works including Bach St. Matthew Passion,
Vaughan Williams Dona Nobis Pacem, Bernstein Chichester
Psalms, Verdi Requiem and Elgar The Dream of
Gerontius.
New hands on the tiller
Geoffrey Stark died in 1981, and his son, Peter, an instrumentalist
and conductor with Welsh National Opera, took over as conductor
for Handel Saul. Martin Freke, Director of Music at
Bournemouth School, was appointed for the following season and
the Society continued to thrive under his energetic direction.
The Society performed Elgar Dream of Gerontius in memory
of Geoffrey in 1983. New works for the Society under Martin included
Vaughan Williams Sea Symphony.
Anniversary Concerts
Martin chose Verdi Requiem for the Society's 25th Anniversary Concert in 1986, which also
marked the end of his directorship. Paul Ellis, music master
at Sherborne School, then took up the baton, conducting memorable
performances of Tucapsky Stabat Mater, with the composer present, and Rachmaninov Vespers. During this
time, the choir introduced summer concerts, performing unaccompanied
works and those with organ, as well as a performance of Walton Belshazzar's Feast in
the Winter Gardens, Bournemouth with the Dorset Youth Orchestra. Tim Hooper was at the helm of the Society from 1997 to 2001. Tim
brought new levels of choral skill and enjoyment, culminating in 40th Anniversary Concerts of Verdi Requiem, Fauré Cantique de
Jean Racine and Requiem and Haydn Nelson Mass.
Christopher Dawe
was appointed Musical Director in October 2001. He has
worked with highly acclaimed conductors in Hungary, Russia, Brussels
and with Mark Elder in Britain and his expertise and wide knowledge
of the choral repertoire have been invaluable in taking the Society
forward. His teaching skill is very apparent and as an accomplished
singer himself, he is able clearly to demonstrate what he wants from
the music. With Chris, the Society improved in many aspects of
presentation, intonation and an appreciation of the music's message.
Chris resigned in January 2008 to take up a full-time teaching post
in London.
Daniel Cook, Choral
Conductor, Organist and Assistant Director of Music at Salisbury
Cathedral took up the baton in 2008 and under his direction brought
a new energy to the choir. We achieved several very memorable
performances notably Messiah, Verdi Requiem, The
Canterbury Pilgrims and our 50th Anniversary performance of
The Dream of Gerontius. Daniel is now moving on having been
appointed Master of Choristers and Organist at St David's Cathedral
in Wales.
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