HCS was founded by Anne Gee in January 2000, after a one-day workshop in Wensum Lodge in Norwich, when she managed to get us to sing Vivaldi’s Gloria in one day !  Anne, who died in 2010, strongly believed in teaching people to sing, especially those who were unaware that they could actually sing. She was a pioneer of this approach to teaching and encouraging amateur choirs, which she called “singing for those who can’t”.  But for Anne’s vision and enthusiasm Harleston Choral Society would not exist today, and you would not be able to enjoy the experience of live choral music in Harleston.

Since 2000 the choir has gone from strength to strength, first with Anne as our Musical Director, followed by Kennth Hytch, Stella Brownsea, Chris Bracewell, Janette Ruocco, Karen Smith, and Justin Bindley. 

We’ve been blessed with the most amazing and inspiring MDs, all of whom have given us new challenges, new knowledge, and – perhaps most of all – helped us to value the joy of singing.  We give our thanks to all of them, and especially to Stella Brownsea who kept us singing online throughout the Pandemic.  And our appreciation too to our Accompanists, our Chairs past and present, and of course to our singers. 

In the words of Basil Abbott, music reviewer, ‘there is a warmth there, a sense of occasion, a feeling of achieving something together, a spirit of stretching for new heights for the sheer joy of doing it’.

Caroline Rodbourne and Jo Curry, Joint Chairs 2024-25