History

Mansfield Choral Society was formed in 1973 by local conductor David Chamberlain, from a previous choir founded by Ethel Houseley. In the early days MCS performed an eclectic range of music from Smetana’s The Bartered Bride to Liszt’s Christus Oratorio, accompanied memorably by locally-born international pianist, John Ogden. They sang for the Children’s Society to mark the Queen Mother’s 90th birthday; and received praise for performances of Handel’s Messiah and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Great satisfaction was gained from winning Co-op and Music Club Shields in Mansfield Music Festival several years running.

In 1991 David Chamberlain handed over the baton to Martin Pickering, ex-chorister from the Chapel Royal at Windsor. Under his stewardship, MCS continued to grow in size and musical scope. Involvement in ‘Hallelujah for Hospices’, the World’s largest simultaneous performance of Handel’s Messiah (involving over 150 UK choirs and 50 others around the globe) proved particularly memorable. Other special concerts included Vivaldi’s Gloria, the Stravinsky Mass, Haydn’s Creation, the Bruckner Motets, Benjamin Britten’s powerful and evocative War Requiem, and the concert version of Bernstein’s musical Candide.

MCS has a tradition of featuring, at its Summer concerts, winners of the annual John Ogden Scholarship Award. John Ogden was born in Mansfield Woodhouse and enjoyed a brilliant career as a concert pianist.

David Wilson became Musical Director in 2002 and has extended the choir’s repertoire yet further. Whilst introducing members to new composers and new works, he has also enabled the choir to improve sight reading, tonal accuracy and performance skills. Under his baton, the Choral Society has received praise for its performances, notable among which have been:

• Mozart’s Requiem, written in the last year of his life.
• Poulenc’s Gloria which contains a captivating mixture of solemnity and mischievous exuberance.
• Fauré’s Requiem, composed in memory of his father, creating an atmosphere of serenity and spiritual contemplation.
• Vaughan Williams’ first large-scale work, A Sea Symphony, that helped set the stage for a new era of symphonic and choral music in England during the first half of the 20th century.
• Langlais’ Messe Solennelle, written in 1951, a fine work strongly influenced by Gregorian chant.
• Elgar’s The Music Makers, a delightful ode set for Alto solo, SATB chorus and orchestral accompaniment, using words by Arthur O'Shaughnessy.
• Duruflé’s Requiem, written in 1947, that clothes the Gregorian plainchant Mass for the Dead in sophisticated modern harmonies.
• Vierne’s Messe Solennelle, for four part choir and two organs, written in 1900.