Crickhowell Choral Society

Formed in 1981, Crickhowell Choral Society is a mixed choir of 70 or so voices drawn from singers within the town and the surrounding area. From September to early May the choir’s programme consists of mainly sacred music dating from the 1600s, culminating in the well-established Crickhowell Music Festival held annually during the first bank holiday weekend in May. The festival attracts such internationally-renowned soloists as Emma Kirkby, James Gilchrist and Elin Manahan Thomas, who is also the society’s president. The repertoire is wide, covering much-loved works by such maestros as Bach, Handel and Haydn in addition to the works of equally worthy if lesserknown composers, with even the occasional first performance in Wales. Every December the choir takes part in Crickhowell’s Christmas market celebrations and later in the month joins with local schools in a community Christmas carol concert held in St. Edmund’s Church. As part of its commitment to community engagement and involvement, the choir runs a very successful choral scholarship scheme. Local young people with a passion for music can join the choir and benefit from the extensive repertoire and opportunities for solo singing, encouraged by the choir and guided by the expertise of its music director Stephen Marshall. Choral scholars typically progress to music-related undergraduate studies at colleges and universities. The summer term is devoted to a lighter programme covering diverse musical genres and the year ends with a summer social in the Clarence Hall with the involvement of local schoolchildren and the choral scholars. As a Welsh choir, Crickhowell Choral Society is constantly adding to its repertoire of Welsh songs, giving voice to the music of its country at St. David’s Day and summer concerts. The choir welcomes the opportunities it receives to sing at special church services and other events and it enthusiastically explores new ventures and partnerships in the locality and beyond.

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