AXMINSTER CHORAL SOCIETY CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF SONG - 🎵 🎶
Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
This year marks a significant milestone for the Axminster and District Choral Society as it celebrates four decades of musical excellence. Founded in 1985 following the enormous success of a Come-and-Sing performance of Handel’s 'Messiah', the Society has become a cherished part of the local cultural scene.
The seeds of the ADCS were sown in February 1985 when a group of enthusiastic singers came together to honour the 300th anniversary of Handel's birth. With a small core of rehearsed singers and the support of four international soloists - including the choir's late President, the renowned bass Roger Stalman - the inaugural performance filled Axminster’s Minster Church to capacity. The performance’s impact was profound, inspiring the creation of a formal choral society.
The Society’s fortieth anniversary programme promises an exciting array of concerts, kicking off on 5th April with Haydn’s 'Creation', a work deeply embedded in ADCS’s repertoire. The summer and autumn concerts will celebrate British composers, including Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Edward Elgar, Sir John Rutter, and Bob Chilcott. The autumn performance will also feature a newly commissioned work by the Society’s current President, Andrew Millington.
The celebratory year will conclude with a poignant return to Handel's 'Messiah', performed in Seaton as a nod to the 'District' element of the Society’s name.
Like many arts organisations, ADCS faced challenges during the Covid pandemic, which significantly impacted membership and audience numbers. However, the group is determined to use this milestone year as an opportunity to rebuild. “Our aim is to attract new members and share the joy of singing with even more people,” a spokesperson said. “We also hope to continue bringing high-quality performances to Axminster and the surrounding areas.”
Whether you’re an experienced singer or simply a lover of beautiful music, the ADCS invites you to join in its anniversary celebrations. Tickets for the concerts are available via the Society’s website, at Archway Books in Axminster, or from choir members.
For more information, please visit - www.axminsterchoral.co.uk
Let’s make 2025 a year to remember for the Axminster and District Choral Society!