Knaresborough Choral Society was founded in June 1986 and performed its first concert in December of that year. We are grateful that some founder members are still singing with us, but equally that many new voices have joined us over the years – this current year being no exception.

Rehearsals take place from 7.30pm to 9.30pm on Thursday evenings in Gracious Street Methodist Church and we normally perform two major concerts each year, usually held in Holy Trinity Church, accompanied by members of the Leeds Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Martin Binks (who conducts both the Choral Society and the Orchestra). Our accompanist is Beryl Pankhurst. Some years we also perform a more informal summer concert in a different venue under the baton of our deputy conductor, Gordon Smith.

We are a relatively small choir of around 50 members but that enables us to get to know each other well and new singers are always assured of a warm welcome among us. No auditions are necessary and it is not essential to be able to read music (though that obviously helps). An ability to sing in tune and an enjoyment of singing are the more important requirements. All music is provided.

For the 2012 season we are rehearsing for the Spring concert on Saturday 31 March when we will be performing Mozart’s Missa Solemnis and Haydn’s St. Nicholas Mass. A decision has yet to be made about whether we will perform a summer concert of lighter music this year, but our Christmas concert will take place on Saturday 8 December.

 I very much that hope you will want to join us for these concerts, either as a singer but if not as a member of the audience.

Brian Hoare