We are a friendly, enthusiastic and thriving choir of over 100 singers, based in Wallingford in South Oxfordshire. Although we are a non-auditioned choir, we set ourselves high musical standards and are ambitious to improve to the full extent of our potential.
Our music director Jonathon Cole-Swinard, is Head of Music and Chorus Director at Garsington Opera and Musical Director of the Wooburn Singers. Sadly for us, he will be moving on after our 75th anniversary concert owing to a new position in Italy which will take him abroad for part of the year. Whilst we wish Jonathon all the very best in this new venture, we are extremely sorry to see him go. He has been an inspiration and we have learnt a great deal during his short tenure.
As a result of Jonathon's departure we are seeking a new Director of Music to start in September 2025. If you are interested in applying for this position you can download the full job specification here
While the standard classics of the choral repertoire remain at our core, with recent performances of the great works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Verdi and Elgar, we always enjoy the challenges of less well-known music. Concerts in recent years have highlighted both the new - Sunrise Mass by Ola Gjeilo, Mirror of Perfection by Richard Blackford - and the unusual - Rio Grande by Constant Lambert, Misa Criola by Ramirez and Dona Nobis Pacem by Vaughan Williams.
We rehearse on Tuesday evenings from 7.30 - 9.30 pm in St Mary's Church, Market Place, Wallingford, OX10 0EG, with a refreshment break at half time.
New members will always be welcome and can come and try us without obligation - you won't regret it!
Our 2024/25 EVENTS
For our spring concert on 5th April we will celebrate our 75th anniversary with a performance of Elgar's powerful and emotional oratorio "The Dream of Gerontius." A world-class team of soloists: Robert Murray as Gerontius, James Atkinson as the Priest/Angel of the Agony and Frances Gregory as the Angel will be accompanied by the English Sinfonia. Benson Choral Society will be joined by the Wooburn Consort and the ensemble will be conducted by Jonathon Cole-SwinardTickets on sale to Friends of Benson Choral Society from 1st February and to the general public from 22nd February
Click on icon to buy tickets from our TicketSource site
For our Summer concert on 28th June, guest conductor Harry Sever will direct Benson Choral Society and members of the British Sinfonietta for a performance of John Rutter's beautiful Requiem coupled with Tarik O'Regan's haunting work Dorchester Chronicles. The concert will be completed by our wonderful accompanist Anita D'Attellis joining members of the orchestra to play Mozart's concerto for flute, harp and piano.
LATEST NEWS
Spring Concert in Dorchester Abbey
Our Spring concert, a performance of Richard Blackford's Pieta and Faure's Requiem was a deeply moving ... Read more
