Welcome to the Harleston Choral Society Website
Harleston Choral Society’s summer came to an end on 1st September with the start of the Autumn Term. We’re nearing the end of our wonderful 25th Anniversary Year and would love you to join us. We’re rehearsing for our Christmas Concert (Saturday 6th December in St John’s Church, Harleston). Our programme will include a selection of Christmas music, carols – some with audience participation – and Part 1 of Handel’s Messiah, plus – by choir and public demand ! – the Hallejulah Chorus, all under the baton of our Music Director Justin Bindley. We meet for practices on a Monday night from 7.30 – 9.30 pm, with a short break at 8.30 pm for refreshments, in The London Road Church at London Road, Harleston, IP20 9BH. Parking is available in the The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) car park opposite. We’re a friendly community choir and we welcome everyone, and although it’s an advantage to be able to read music, it’s not essential. There are no auditions and music is provided free. Current HCS fees are £45.00 per term (there are some concessions) and new members have three weeks in which to decide whether or not they want to continue singing with the choir before fees are due. So, if you think you’d like to give us a try, come along on a Monday evening. You can get in touch with us by emailing Caroline Rodbourne, caroline@rodbourne.org.uk 01986 782545 or Jo Curry, jo.curry@sky.com 07768 544005
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The Harleston Choral Society seeks a new accompanist.
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Annual General Meeting, Monday 13th October
On Monday 13 October the choir AGM will be held during choir practice
Our 25th Anniversary Year 2025
- Our 25th Anniversary Year celebrations began on 6th January this year, exactly twenty five years since the choir was founded by Anne Gee. We met in the London Road Church, our usual practice venue, and began rehearsing Carmina Burana which was to be performed as the highlight of our anniversary year.
- On 25th January – a timely date – we held a 25th Anniversary Party
What a fabulous event we had on Saturday afternoon! About 60 of us celebrated 25 years of Harleston Choral. A massive spread of wonderful food was assembled and a magnificent cake. Many thanks to all those of you who helped make it a really lovely occasion.
See more images and memories of choir members here.
The Anniversary Concert on 28thJune, singing our hearts out, was a celebration of twenty five years of so much beautiful music, our Music Directors past and present, our Accompanists, our musicians, and of course our Choir. And not forgetting our loyal audiences.
Then on 12th July we had more celebrations at the Summer Garden Party.
This was followed on 16th August by a ‘Come and Sing’ Workshop, which was open to all, and when we spent a glorious day in the sunshine working on some of the choruses from Part 1 of Messiah
And now, here we are, back in the London Road Church again, rehearsing for our Christmas Concert on 6th December in St John’s Church, Harleston, when we’ll be singing Part 1 of Messiah, a selection of Christmas carols and music, and – by choir and public demand – the Hallelujah Chorus ! And this will be the end of our wonderful 25th Anniversary year.
South Norfolk Community Grant
We have been awarded a £500 South Norfolk Community Grant towards the cost of our 25th Anniversary Concert on 28 June. Our thanks go to John Formston, HCS Committee Member; and to Trevor Graham, Harleston Conservative District Councillor, and James Eddy, Harleston Labour District Councillor, who shared the grant between their Community Grant budgets. We’re grateful for all their hard work in making the grant possible
Magic Little Grant
We received a Magic Little Grant through the partnership between Localgiving and Postcode Places
Trust. Postcode Places Trust is a grant-giving charity funded by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Localgiving is the UK’s leading membership and support network for local charities and community
groups. Our project received £500 towards our Christmas choir concert.
You can donate to the Harleston Choral Society through our Local Giving page and you can find out more about how to play and support more charities with the People’s Postcode Lottery here.
View some images from our rehearsals here.