Welcome to Beccles Choral Society. We are a friendly, non auditioning choir based in the lovely Suffolk town of Beccles. We perform a wide variety of choral music and a hugely popular Christmas concert.
MEET THE CHOIR
HEAR THE CHOIR
Recorded live during a previous Spring concert.
The choir was with Kingfisher Sinfonietta (Leader: Beth Spendlove)
Conductor: Geoff Lavery
NEXT CONCERT
Put a date in your diary to hear
Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music
plus some exciting extras including well-known carols
at our Christmas concert at 4:00pm
on 11th December 2016 in St Michael’s Church Beccles
when there will be a chance to join in singing familiar Christmas carols
and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.
Beccles Choral Society is delighted that Ben Parry, Raymond Simmons and Michael Nicholas have accepted the invitations to become patrons of the society.
Ben Parry
Ben Parry born in Ipswich is a musician, composer, conductor, singer, arranger and producer in both classical and light music fields. He is Director of Aldeburgh Voices, co-director of London Voices, Assistant Director of Music at King’s College Cambridge, and director of the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.
More information can be found on Ben’s website
Raymond Simmons
Ray Simmons was formerly principal trumpet of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a post he relinquished in 1996 after 19 years. He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he subsequently became Professor of Trumpet. He has also held principal positions in Bournemouth, Norway and the Royal Opera House and taught at Stavanger University and the UEA. Since retirement Ray has remained active in teaching and playing and latterly has rediscovered a love for the jazz piano.
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Michael Nicholas
Michael studied the organ at Jesus College, Oxford, achieving a degree in music.In 1958 he was awarded his Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists (FRCO). After graduating, he became organist and choirmaster of St. James Church, Louth 1960 – 1964 and music master at King Edward VI Grammar School, Louth.Later Michael became organist and choirmaster of St Matthew’s Church, Northampton 1964 – 1971 then organist and master of choristers at Norwich Cathedral as well as being Head of Music at Northampton Grammar School from 1971 to 1994. Whilst holding this position and being a part-time lecturer in music at the University of East Anglia, when he was appointed Chief Executive of the Royal College of Organists. From 1999 – 2013, Michael was director of music at St Mary-le-Tower, Ipswich where he conducted three choirs and promoted the popular lunchtime concert series.Michael has also conducted the Northampton Bach Choir and Orchestra, the Norwich Philharmonic Chorus and the Allegri Singers. He has published various works for choir and for organ, and has written Sightsinging (1966) and Muse at St Matthew’s (196
