A Brief History of H&DCS

Halstead and District Choral Society was originally known as The Halstead Singers. It disbanded during the Second World War and was reformed in 1953 by the well known local musician Cecil Sturgis who conducted the Society for twenty seven years.

The Halstead Singers renamed as Halstead & District Choral Society in 1957 - over 50 years ago!

50 Year line up of baton waving Musical Directors

Cecil Sturgis 'reign' as Musical Director ended in 1981. He was followed by John York Skinner, Stephen Kenna (1982-5) (see review of recent concert with Stephen), Timothy Miller (1985-9), Richard Walshaw (1990), Roger Muttit (1991), Tom Langley (1992), Moira Frize-Williams (1993-6) , Martin Seymour (1997-2003), Toby Parr (2003-2006).

Our current Musical Director Mark Bellis is a talented musician with wide experience in teaching, lecturing, conducting and composing. Mark is currently lecturer in Music at Colchester Institute.

Tony Percival has accompanied the Choral Society for since 1971! and has been an accompanist in churches since he was 14. Try as we might, no piece ever proves too much for Tony who manages to play a new piece and listen to all the vocal parts all at the same time!

What we have Sung over the Years

Handel Coronation Anthems

Handel Te Deum

Handel Messiah

Haydn Creation

Bach Christmas Oriatorio

Vivaldi Gloria

Brahms Requiem

Verdi Requiem

Faure Requiem

Mozart Mass in C, Requiem

Mendelssohn Elijah

Puccini Messa di Gloria

Duruffle Requiem

Monteverdi Beatus Vir

Italian Opera Choruses

Various Gilbert and Sullivan

Lots of Vaughan Williams, Elgar, Rutter

Hundreds of Carols

Medley of Andrew Lloyd Webber and other modern pieces

And many other lovely pieces that we have enjoyed learning and performing.