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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 was a viola player with the
RAE Orchestra as well as conductor of the Farnham and Bourne Choral
Society. Initially, they performed madrigals, chorales and part
songs.
Widening the membership
In 1962, membership was extended to singers outside the SRDE, with
rehearsals every other week during the winter months. The wider
membership made possible a performance, in 1963, of Bach
Peasant Cantata at
the Red House Museum in Christchurch.
Orchestras recruited
From 1964, an orchestra was used where necessary, starting with a
performance of Purcell Dido
and Aeneas. The recruitment of singers continued and it
became clear that under Geoffrey’s guidance the larger and more
complex works of the choral repertoire could be attempted.
New name and a home
By 1967, the name Grange Choral Society was adopted from the
road in which SRDE was based, a regular pattern of weekly rehearsals
and two concerts a year was established. Concerts were held in
various churches and schools until 1969, when Mozart
Requiem was performed
in Christchurch Priory. This has become the choir's home.
From these humble beginnings, the Society was able to promote much
larger 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 to the
podium for a performance of Handel
Saul. Martin Freke,
Director of Music at Bournemouth School, was appointed the following
season and the Society thrived under his energetic leadership. Elgar
Dream of Gerontius
was performed in memory of Geoffrey in 1983 and new works for the
Society 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.
Guest Conductor
Derek Goodger has been appointed
as Guest Conductor
from January - April 2008, until the new Musical Director is in
post. He will rehearse the choir for a performance on April 19th of
Rossini Stabat Mater and Mozart Vespers, which he will
also conduct. Derek has closely supported the Grange Choral Society
over the last few years, as back-stop conductor and rehearsal
pianist (more details, please see Guest Musical Director).
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