ABOUT OUR CHOIR
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The Cawthorne Singers already existed in the 1790's and another local group followed them in the 1830's, so our origins go back quite a way.
Other small groups of friends were formed to sing and provide instrumental entertainment at village concerts in the church and the local museum. The Church Choirmaster during the 2 decades between 1880 and 1900 was James Balme, who ran one of these groups.
On July 18th.1915, the very first Cawthorne Feast Sunday "SING" took place in Cannon Hall Park, when various choral groups were supported by a large band. The programme included choruses from "Messiah" and a selection of hymns. Barnsley Beckett Hospital benefitted to the tune of around £60 and the event became an annual one.
From this tradition of the "sing", a feature of many similar local communities, grew the idea and formation of a village Choral Society on October19th.1927. The first concert was in March 1928 and consequently we are celebrating our 80th anniversary in 2008.
Up to 1939 the concerts consisted mainly of excerpts from the oratorio repertoire, but these came to a halt with the outbreak of war. The group was revived in 1955 and performed spasmodically, but regular rehearsals began in 1965, when a connection with Bretton Hall College of Education was forged and which lasted till 1976.
Performances included Bach's "St. Matthew Passion", Handel's "Messiah", and "Requiem" by Brahms.
Members originally came from the village but now our singers and supporters travel from a variety of places in the locality, and the programmes chosen are just as wide ranging. However the rehearsal place remains the same as it did when the society was formed back in 1927 - The Methodist Chapel Schoolroom in the village, although the 1p per week subscription rate has changed somewhat!
Current subscriptions for the society are £42 per annum (£34 concessions) which are due in the Autumn term but can be paid in instalments if so desired.
YOU COULD SUPPORT US BY BECOMING A PATRON OF THE SOCIETY. FOR AN ANNUAL DONATION OF ONLY £20 YOU WILL RECEIVE A FREE TICKET FOR EACH OF OUR 3 MAJOR CONCERTS PLUS INVITATIONS TO ANY OF OUR OTHER CHOIR EVENTS.
Please contact us via the enquiry page on this website if you are interested.