A Rich Heritage of Musical Directors

WCS are delighted to have been able to appoint Alexander Chaplin as their new Musical Director from the very large number of applicants for the post.

WCS was formed by a small group of enthusiasts in July 1951 and gave its first concert in November that same year. Membership has gradually increased over the years to around one hundred and thirty singers with strength in all four voice parts.

WCS perform two major concerts a year with high quality professional orchestras and soloists, a Christmas carol concert with a local school choir at which there is a charity collection, and a summer concert of a lighter selection of choral music.

The choir developed under a number of very able conductors but it was under the direction of what became the international figure of Graeme Jenkins , currently Music Director of the Dallas Opera and Cologne Opera, that it acquired the high standard that attracted the now equally renowned Paul Daniel CBE who went on to become Music Director of the English National Opera.

Paul Daniel was followed by Stephen Layton currently conductor of the Holst Singers and Polyphony, Director of Music at The Temple and Director of Music and Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.

Edward Gardner, Musical Director from 1997-2002, after periods assisting Mark Elder at the Hallé Orchestra and Director of Music of Glyndebourne on Tour is now Music Director of the English National Opera.

Aidan Oliver, Musical Director 2002-2007, is Director of Music at St Margaret's, Westminster, the Parliamentary Church. He is also Chorus Master of the Philharmonia Voices and directs the professional ensemble Spiritus.

WCS in Concert and Rehearsal

Rehearsals are held at Emmbrook Senior School. Concerts are performed with professional soloists and orchestras at Eton College School Hall, Reading University Great Hall, and Wokingham Churches. Click here to see photographs of rehearsals and a concert at Eton

Brian Kay Open Choral Workshop

WCS organises biannual Open Choral Workshos which attracts singers from many different choral groups over a wide area. Click here to see photographs and hear a sound clip from the last Workshop led by Brian Kay.

Pilgrim's Progress Concert Track

A recent Summer Concert in All Saints Church was professionally recorded. To hear a track from the concert click here