- CELEBRATING OUR 75TH ANNIVERSARY IN STYLE!
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Date Posted: Tue, 1 Sep 2026
2026/27 - Join our innovative and exciting 75th Anniversary season
AUTUMN CONCERT - 07 November 2026
A BRITISH CHORAL CELEBRATION: Stanford Mass in G & Rutter Magnificat
With thanks to the Stanford Society for their generous support.These 2 magnificent works demonstrate the richness and variety of British choral music. Stanford’s Mass in G Major, one of the most substantial Latin choral works Britain produced in the 19th Century, received its world première recording in 2014, featuring the Choir of Exeter College Oxford directed by George de Voil, now the MD of Wokingham Choral Society. WCS will give what is believed to be only the second ever concert performance of this opulent Mass, from a new meticulously prepared edition by George de Voil and James Speakman. The vivid colours of this tuneful and characterful masterpiece will come to life through such diverse influences as Schubert, Dvorak, Bruckner and Beethoven. In contrast, John Rutter composed his extended setting of the Magnificat in 1990 with colourful Latin American influences, making it a joyful piece which weaves the 15th-century English poem 'Of a Rose, a lovely Rose' around the traditional liturgical text of the Magnificat. With the Eastwood Symphony Orchestra and professional soloists.
A CELEBRATORY CHRISTMAS CONCERT - 05 December 2026To include a previously commissioned work for WCS, ‘Wokingham Wassail’, a fun seasonal medley by Simon Wright.
SPRING CONCERT - 20 March 2027
'WAR & PEACE': Haydn Nelson Mass, Vivaldi & BachHaydn’s Nelson Mass is more formally known as the Missa in angustiis, meaning ‘Mass for troubled times’, an apposite work for current times. It has been described as ‘arguably Haydn's greatest single composition’. We will perform Haydn’s original ‘dark’ orchestra version (i.e. no woodwind) with organ, strings, trumpets and timpani.
SUMMER CONCERT - 19 June 2027
'A DIAMOND CELEBRATION!'Our summer concert will be a wonderful celebration of our 75 years as Wokingham Choral Society. We will perform some of the choir's favourite pieces from our long history, plus a very special anniversary commission for WCS by James Speakman. Based on the poem by Siegfried Sassoon Everyone Sang, with a final soaring phrase ‘the singing will never be done’, this piece will perfectly encapsulate the choral singer’s experience. 2027 is also the 60th anniversary of Sassoon’s death, which will make our commissioned work a double celebration. WCS won funding for the commission project under the 'Adopt a Music Creator' scheme run by Making Music and funded by the PRS Foundation and the Philip and Dorothy Green Music Trust.
Go to our EVENTS PAGE to learn more.
- Join us at our OPEN REHEARSAL on Thursday 10 September, 7.30pm
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Date Posted: Wed, 26 Aug 2026
OPEN REHEARSAL on Thursday 10 September, 7.30pm
Thinking of joining a choir? We welcome potential new members to our rehearsals.Come and join us for a couple of Thursday evenings to see if we are what you are looking for in a choir.
Rehearsals take place every Thursday evening during term time from 7.30pm to 9.45pm at Emmbrook Senior School, Wokingham, RG41 1JP - including a 15-minute coffee break half way through the evening. There is ample parking at the school.
Our Membership Secretary, Caroline, will meet you on arrival in the hall, and ensure you are well looked after.Contact
To organise a visit, please email our Membership Secretary, Caroline, at membership@wokingham-choral-society.org.uk, or call 07914545665.
We look forward to welcoming you to our rehearsals and hope you will want to Become a Member of WCS.Rehearsal venue
Emmbrook Senior School, Emmbrook Road, Wokingham, RG41 1JP
- HELP WCS RAISE FUNDS! Thanks for your support!
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Date Posted: Tue, 25 Aug 2026
3 fun ways to help WCS raise funds. Thanks for your support!
Please donate here to Wokingham Choral Society. WCS is a not-for-profit organisation (registered charity no. 274853) and welcomes donations, no matter how large or small.
1) Donations Welcome
2) Wokingham Borough Community Lottery
Play this local lottery and raise funds for WCS and your community.
At least 60% from each ticket sold goes to support good causes in Wokingham Borough, and there’s a chance to win the £25,000 jackpot every week! Each ticket you purchase makes a huge impact to local charities.
Sign up on our lottery page.
3) easyfundraising
A fantastic way to support WCS every time you shop online!
We're excited to announce that we're registered with easyfundraising, an online platform that enables you to raise free donations with every purchase you make. With over 8000 participating retailers, there's something for everyone! And it won't cost you any extra, as the retailer covers the donation to WCS through easyfundraising.
Sign up here.
For more information, see: https://www.wokingham-choral-society.org.uk/fundraising
- Singing is surprisingly good for your health!
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Date Posted: Wed, 3 Dec 2025
If you sing, you know! If you don't, give it a go
Great BBC article! Why singing is surprisingly good for your health - BBC Future
Explore the benefits of singing with WCS at our open rehearsal on 15th January 2026. More info here.
- COME & SING and CONCERT of KARL JENKIN'S 'THE ARMED MAN' in aid of SHELTER
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Date Posted: Wed, 27 Aug 2025
For more information, see: https://www.wokingham-choral-society.org.uk/ArmedMan070226
- EPIC PERFORMANCE OF ELGAR'S MASTERPIECE, THE DREAM OF GERONTIUS, AT GUILDFORD CATHEDRAL
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Date Posted: Mon, 3 Mar 2025
On 22nd March 2025, against the wonderful backdrop of Guildford Cathedral, Bracknell and Wokingham Choral Societies will perform The Dream of Gerontius, widely regarded as Elgar's finest choral work.
With 180 singers, professional soloists and 60-piece orchestra, underpinned by the Cathedral’s mighty organ, this concert will be a not-to-be-missed performance of epic proportions.
As Elgar himself described his setting of the poem by John Henry Newman, 'This is the best of me; for the rest, I ate, and drank, and slept, loved and hated, like another: my life was as the vapour and is not; but this I saw and knew; this, if anything of mine, is worth your memory.’Attachment: 
For more information, see: https://www.wokingham-choral-society.org.uk/dreamofgerontius
- Proud to support local mental health charity ARC
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Date Posted: Thu, 26 Sep 2024
We are proud to have supported local mental health charity, ARC, as our choir charity for the 2023/24 season.
At our rehearsal last Thursday, we presented a cheque to Paul Cassidy, ARC Head of Service, to help them continue the invaluable confidential counselling services which they provide free for schools and children, and at low-cost for adults.ARC is a member of the BACP (the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).
For more information, see: https://arcweb.org.uk/
- Choir Practice 10 Commandments!
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Date Posted: Mon, 26 Aug 2024
Seen on a vestry notice board in Saffron Walden !
- What a Fabulous Recital Tour to Norfolk!
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Date Posted: Fri, 23 Aug 2024
A wonderful weekend of fun, friendship and song! - 2 lunchtime recitals at St Mary's Saffron Walden and St Peter Mancroft, Norwich.
- Leading the Sung Eucharist at Wymondham Abbey.
- Relaxing with a glass of wine on an excellent Norfolk Broads boat trip.
- Mooching round the pretty towns of Saffron Walden and Wymondham, and the impressive city of Norwich.
- Tasty meals at great restaurants - the Queen's Head, Wymondham, was a real standout.
- And last but not least, enjoying fun times with choir friends.
- With huge thanks to George de Voil for his brilliant musical leadership and patience, and James Speakman for his multi-tasking on singing, accompaniment, and monumental organ solos.
- Also thanks to Jo at Sound Escapes for her meticulous research, planning and comms, and to Andy from Horseman Coaches for his good humour, considerate driving, and skill on tiny Norfolk roads!
- The fun to be had with concert set up!
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Date Posted: Thu, 20 Jun 2024
YouTube Video URL:
