History

In 1980 a group of music lovers from various local singing groups joined together in a new united singing initiative for the town and as a result Wootton Bassett Choral Society was born. The purpose was to promote, rehearse and perform choral works for the enjoyment of its members and the inhabitants of Wootton Bassett and surrounding area. What they wished to create was a community choir for enthusiastic singers where all keen singers would be welcome and no audition would be necessary.

The first rehearsal took place in the music room of Wootton Bassett School under the direction of Geoff Jeffreys without whose dynamic leadership the choir could most certainly not have got off to such a successful start. He was ably assisted by the Society’s first Chairman, Doug Hughes, with the energetic support of Brenda Burnside and the Treasurer, Alison Morris, who continues to hold the post to this day. Geoff Jeffreys was succeeded in the post of music director by Steve Sowerby, Mike Avery, Ursula Barham, Liz Adams and currently Fiona Fleet. The accompanist’s role is a vital one both in rehearsal and in concert performance. In this the Choir has been fortunate to be able to enlist the services of some skilled and committed pianists, starting with Gerald Hunt, followed by John Davies, Steve Sowerby, Frank Harvey and Fiona Fleet and, most recently, Vanessa Harris and Alexander Harris.