History
Banbury Choral Society was founded in February 1942, in the dark days of World War Two. Its first conductor was Geoffrey Furnish who was with the Society until his death in 1974. He was succeeded for three years by Malcolm B. Sargent, who in turn was followed by Edward Palmer in 1977. 'Eddie', as he was affectionately known, was an inspiration to all who sang under his baton. He died very suddenly less than a week after conducting the choir in 'Messiah for Hospices' in October 2000, and it was perhaps fitting that he had told the choir he considered this to be the best performance of this work he had ever conducted.
The choral society celebrated its 50th year in 1992 and to mark the occasion, Walter Cheney, compiled a history of the choral society from 1942 to 1992 called 'We are the Music Makers'. This book was dedicated to the memory of Lionel Pratt who died in January 1992. He was a valued member of the tenor section for almost 50 years. It is a wonderful account of how the choir developed over that time and shows the dedication and commitment of its members. To download a copy, please click here.
From January 2001, the Society was then very fortunate to secure the services of Sue Freestone, who was Musical Director until July 2004. The Choir went from strength to strength under her direction, with performances of works by Gershwin, Rutter, Britten, Verdi and Rossini. In 2004 she conducted the choir for memorable performances of Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man:A Mass for Peace at St Mary's Church, Banbury and Carl Orff's Carmina Burana at Sibford School.
Sue was followed in September 2004 by Keith Smith who remained Musical DIrector until November 2010. Keith has a wide experience, both in musical education and as Director of a number of choirs and orchestras. He is widely regarded and is in demand to conduct concerts both at home and abroad. While he was Musical Director for Banbury Choral Society, the choir performed many major works from the choral repertoire, including Elgar's The Kingdom, Vaughan Williams' Sea Symphony, Handel's Messiah, Brahms' Requiem and Haydn's Creation.
Since November 2010, the choir has been under the direction of Julian Harris and Martin Quinn. They share between them the roles of Musical Director and Accompanist. They have been warmly received by the choir and we look forward to another exciting new period in the life of the society.
Musical Directors
Julian Harris
Julian Harris has been conductor of the St James's Singers since he founded the choir in 1985. He combines the role of conductor of the choir with many other commitments.
He teaches and lectures, conducts many choirs and orchestras as well as composing and arranging for church and stage. He has worked as vocal coach and music director for the R.S.C. and Birmingham Repertory Company as well as conducting the world premiere of The Grubb Street Opera for the Magnificent Theatre Company.
He has accompanied the Stratford upon Avon International Flute Festival, and tenor, Martin Quinn, in recital. Recently he co-wrote and directed a performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream. He also toured Rome in the spring of 2008 conducting Haydn's Nelson Mass in St Peter’s Basilica. He has just completed his latest composition, Eclipse, for Michael Wells.
He has recently finished two seasons as Deputy Music Director of the London Gay Men’s Chorus with whom he made his debut at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Cadogan Hall and The Roundhouse, Islington. New projects include concerts in aid of the Albert Kennedy Trust in Saint Paul’s Church, Covent Garden, teaching composition for advanced pupils in Banbury and working with students at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Julian has established a tradition of including premieres and commissioned works in many of his concerts including conducting premieres of Russell Pascoe's Beata Nobis Gaudea and Arvo Pärt's Arbos.
In autumn 2009 he launched a new choir – Junior St James's Singers @ The Croft – with Julian Shortman, the Director of Music at the school. Julian sees this 'as laying the foundations for the next twenty-five years.'
Martin Quinn
Martin Quinn studied singing at the Royal Northern College of Music with Anthony Roden and is currently taught by Justin Lavender.
Martin combines a busy teaching, conducting and performing career. Currently he teaches singing at Sibford School and Perform Theatre School, Bicester, as well as teaching privately from his home in Banbury.
As a conductor he held the position of Musical Director with Bicester Choral and Operatic Society from May 1999 to Jan 2003 with whom he conducted a wide range of musical genres from Purcell to Broadway musicals.
Martin founded Akeman Voices chamber choir in 1999 to fulfil his desire to present high quality, intimate, performances of renaissance and baroque music, of a mainly a capella style. The hope was to form a skilled ensemble, which could grow, as a group, over the years, with a largely consistent membership.
He has acted as Chorus Master at Stowe Opera since 2002: Rusalka, Don Carlos, Hansel and Gretel and the critically acclaimed production of Carmen. Martin has been Musical Director with The Warriner Choral Society, Bloxham since 2004. In that time he has conducted Faure’s Requiem, Haydn’s Little Organ Mass, Puccini & Rossini's Messa di Gloria, Haydn’s The Seasons, Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, Beethoven’s Mass in C to name but a few.
In 2005 Martin was Musical Director on Pirates of Penzance with The Musical Youth Company of Oxford at the Oxford Playhouse.
In 2010 Martin was Musical Director for the Deddington Festival ‘Come and Sing’ workshop and performance day with Carl Orff’s masterpiece Carmina Burana. He will be repeating this engagement in 2011 when, under his baton, singers from around Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties will come together to rehearse and perform Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man.
As a performer, Martin works in both opera and concert hall. His busy schedule takes him all over the UK and Europe working with such companies as British Youth Opera, St.Albans Chamber Opera, Stowe Opera, Pavilion Opera, English Touring Opera, Opera Box, Swansea City Opera and The Spoleto Festival under Richard Hickox.
He has also recorded for Chandos, BBC Music Magazine, BBC Television, ITV Television and Britannia Music
From January to June 2012, Martin will be touring the UK in a production of The Barber of Seville with Swansea City Opera, as Assistant Stage Director and covering the part of Count Almaviva.
Past Accompanists
Since Banbury Choral Society was founded in 1942, it has been fortunate to receive the support of some exceptionally talented accompanists. Banbury Choral Society feels it is important to acknowledge them.
1942 Mary Barry - Mary evacuated from London during the war and came to live in the Banbury area. She returned to London after the war ended.
Late 1940s Betty Hobbs - Betty was a good friend of Goeffrey Furnish (the first conductor to lead Banbury Choral Society).
1950 - 60s Ena Grubb - Ena was a well-known Banbury piano teacher.
1960s Thelma Robinson - Past Head of Music at Tudor Hall School.
1974 Anthony Swift - Local pianist and piano teacher as well as an honorary member of BCS.
2004 Jo Benlalam - Music teacher at Tudor Hall School.
2009 Elsa Williams - Local musician and teacher.
Committee
The Society is organised by the Officers of the Society and Committee Members. The present Officers are the Chairman, Liz Scamans; Vice Chairman, Michele Hunter; Treasurer, George Macey and Secretary, Sian Miller. The Committee Members are currently Jean Swift, Tony Swift, Liz Morris, Leslie Batten and Helen Forde. In addition there is an Admin Team of two choir members – Georgie Holt (Concert Organiser) and Mary Hillier.
The Choir’s President is Lady Saye and Sele - a position she has held since November 1992. Members of the choir are very grateful for the time that Lady Saye gives to supporting the choral society.
The Choir
The Choral Society meets on Monday nights during term time at Marlborough Road Methodist Church in Banbury. Rehearsals start at 7.30pm. Social coffee events are held every three to four weeks just prior to the start of rehearsal in order for members of the choir to get to know one another. Twice a year, the social committee organizes a choir party at a member’s home and these informal gatherings are very much enjoyed by the members. Outings to concerts in Birmingham and London are also organized from time to time.
Banbury Choral Society welcomes new members at all times. If you have sung in other choirs or indeed, if you haven’t sung in a choir before, but just love singing, then we would be glad to hear from you. Please complete the Enquiry Form on the Contact Us page and a member of the committee will get back in touch with you.
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