A CHORAL CHRONICLE: THE HISTORY OF WORCESTER FESTIVAL CHORAL SOCIETY Celebrating 160 years: 1861-2021

A new, full-colour book is coming soon about the fascinating, 160-year history of Worcester Festival Choral Society – one of England’s leading choral societies, with an array of achievements to its name. WFCS has been bringing the choral ‘greats’ to music lovers since 1861, staging more than 350 of its own concerts and participating in many more. It also supplies up to a third of the singers in the renowned Three Choirs Festival Chorus each year.

Packed with fascinating details, new archive research, conductor interviews, member accounts and stunning images, A Choral Chronicle traces the Society’s story from its Victorian origins through two constitutions, two World Wars, 11 conductors and the pandemic of 2020. Find out:

• How the Society was born in 1861

• What caused a 20-year haitus in the late 19th century

• How WFCS developed a special relationship with Sir Edward Elgar

• The truth behind its second Conductor’s mysterious dismissal

• Which Treasurer became a five-time Mayor of Worcester

• How Sir Adrian Boult, Sir David Willcocks, Sir Hubert Parry, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Charles Villiers Stanford guest conducted

• How WFCS helped the Second World War effort

• Why the WFCS ‘Centenary Concert’ was a mistake

• How the Society sang at the Royal Albert Hall

• Which past singing members went on to wider musical fame

• What goes into programming a Three Choirs Festival

• How modern Conductors prepare for concert day