Itchen Valley Choral Society

The choir was formed in 1922 and competed in the earliest of the Winchester & County Music Festivals. This year, 2007 is our 85th anniversary. The choir rehearsals have been continuous through the years with the exception of a four year break between 1940 and 1944 due to the war.

The minutes books make fascinating reading with their record of fluctuating finances & money-making ventures like whist drives, concerts, jumble sales and recruiting drives.One financial statement records a balance over the year of one shilling and threepence, a cause for rejoicing in 1937.

We have never been a large choir, in the earlier years the members came from a very rural area, from hamlets and villages throughout the Itchen Valley. We reached a total of 45 in the nineties but now our numbers are 33, and like almost every small choir in the land we need to increase our numbers, particularly male voices.

Our musical director is Mike Bailey, also leader of the very popular group 'The Madding Crowd'. He is interested in old folk songs, hymns and anthems, and seems equally happy with swing & classics. We are extremely lucky to have the accomplished Ian Waring-Green as our accompanist, who grins at our mistakes and winces when we sing out of tune, but gives us as much help as possible.

Contact the Society

Secretary: Chris Smith Telephone: 01962 772134

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