Pangbourne Choral Society gala at the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel marks milestone anniversary
Pangbourne Choral Society’s Summer Concert at the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel on Saturday, June 22 (7.30pm), will mark their golden anniversary and will be a special Gala occasion marking the choir’s evolution into a well-respected amateur group of singers who love what they do.
Current PCS music director Sara Benbow will share the conductor duties with PCS founding director Ralph Allwood and two directors who did so much to shape and develop PCS choral accomplishments over many years – Bob Barsby and Jonathan Brown.
“It will be a real thrill to look back over 50 great years with Ralph, Bob and Jonathan,” said current PCS chairman Sir Brian Hoskins, “and to look forward with anticipation to the new challenges and enjoyment which Sara Benbow has brought to our community, which has become apparent in just a few months since her appointment in September 2023.”
PCS also wish to mark its gratitude for and recognition of the vital support given by Pangbourne College in terms of use of facilities and crucially by many past college music directors. Some of the programme pieces seek to commemorate this link and current headmaster Thomas Garnier, a talented singer in his own right, will be one of the soloists at this concert in this, his final term before retirement.
The programme includes works by Mozart (Ave Verum), Haydn (from the Creation), Brahms (from German Requiem), as well as Parry (I was glad), Handel (Zadok The Priest), as well as works by Chilcott (Shenandoah), Howells (Jubilate), Mendelssohn and Michael Kamen.
Sara Benbow said: “I am delighted to be celebrating this major milestone with PCS members and conductors, and it also looks as if quite a few past members will be returning to sing on the night, such is the affection for Pangbourne Choral Society and its long tradition of promoting the best values of community choral singing to the highest standards.”
Tickets (£15, £8 under-18s, available from Garlands Organic & Natural, Pangbourne, PCS website and members and also on the door.
