Pangbourne Choral Society

A thriving, non-audition choral society based in Pangbourne, Berkshire, UK. We rehearse and hold concerts in the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel at Pangbourne College. New members always welcome.

Pangbourne Choral Society was formed in 1973. We rehearse on Tuesday evenings during term time in the Falkland Islands Chapel at Pangbourne College. We present two or three concerts per year with guest soloists and are usually accompanied by the Chameleon Arts Orchestra. Jonathan Brown took over as our Director of Music at the beginning of the 2006/2007 season.

We welcome keen singers of all ages. Our repertoire is mainly focused on the larger choral works, recent examples being Bach's St John Passion, Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Fauré’s Requiem, Britten’s War Requiem, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, Mozart’s K339 Vespers and Verdi's Requiem. The summer concert normally consists of a more mixed programme like the recent ‘Music - the Food of Love’ which combined Brahms' Liebeslieder Waltzes with romantic music by Cole Porter and Arthur Sullivan.

Last season we presented a concert of royal celebration music with the Chameleon Arts Orchestra, including Mozart's Coronation Mass and Handel's four Coronation Anthems. We also hosted a 'Come & Sing' performance of Faure's Requiem and Vivaldi's Gloria, for which our numbers were boosted by the presence of many visiting choristers from around the region.

Works that we be performing in 2012-2013 include Goodall’s Eternal Light Requiem, Tippett’s Five Negro Spirituals (from A Child of our Time) and Haydn’s Nelson Mass, in addition to our annual Christmas carol concert.

Concerts and rehearsals are held in the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel, at Pangbourne College. The Chapel was opened by HM The Queen in March 2000 and is dedicated to the memory of those who died in the Falklands war in 1982. The College uses it regularly for services, and its award-winning design makes it a popular concert venue. The impressive stained glass window is the building's focal point. The organ is a state-of-the-art digital instrument made by 'Cathedral Organs' and the Chapel also houses the College's Steinway concert grand piano.

Rehearsals are held from 7.45pm to 9.30pm on Tuesday evenings during term time. New members are always welcome. Anyone interested in joining us should come along to the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel, Pangbourne College, on a rehearsal evening at around 7.30pm. No auditions are required, although enthusiasm and commitment are expected!