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.
We are delighted that Jonathon Cole-Swinard, Head of Music and Chorus Director at Garsington Opera has joined us as our new musical director. Jonathon will lead us for our Winter and Spring concerts. In Summer, when Jonathon's commitments with Garsington Opera prevent him from being with us, we will be performing with guest conductors.
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
The centrepiece of our Winter concert will be a performance of Mozart's striking and powerful Mass in C, the so-called Coronation Mass. Much-loved ceremonial works by Handel and Boyce including the immensly popular anthem Zadok the Priest complete our concert: "Choral Music for Royal Occasions."Jonathon Cole-Swinard conducts the Oxford Sinfonia in this exciting start to our new season.
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Join Members of Benson Choral Society in an exploration of two works - Mozart's exhilarating Coronation Mass and Handel's exciting anthem Zadok the Priest. The workshop will be led by Benson Choral Society's MD, Jonathon Cole-Swinard, Head of Music and Chorus Director of Garsington Opera. Jonathon is an extraordinarily exciting and dynamic conductor to sing under. Our wonderful pianist, Anita D'Attellis will be accompanying us. This is an exceptional opportunity to get under the bonnet of two of the most loved choral pieces written for royal occasions.
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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
