Exeter Philharmonic Choir : History

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The Exeter Philharmonic Choir was founded in 1846, early in the reign of Queen Victoria. First known as the 'Exeter Oratorio Society', it has an unbroken history to the present day, making it one of the oldest musical organizations in the country. Its sixtieth birthday was celebrated in 1906 with the publication of a history of the Choir to that date, and its centenary was marked in 1946 with a performance of The Dream of Geronitius in Exeter Cathedral. The name had been changed to the 'Exeter Musical Society' in 1930, and a concert marking the sixtieth anniversary of the name was given, coinciding with the Mozart celebrations, in 1991. In 1995, to mark its 150th Anniversary Season, the Choir became a Registered Charity and changed its name to 'Exeter Philharmonic Choir'.

In 1998 the Choir toured abroad, singing in Madrid and Salamanca, and in 2002 we presented a Rodrigo Centenary Concert in the Royal Festival Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. This followed the release of our recording on the EMI label of Rodrigo's major choral works. The foreign tour, concerts and recording took place while Raymond Calcraft was our Director of Music. He conducted the choir for 15 immensely successful years, and his tenure also included a number of performances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in venues in Exeter, Cheltenham and London.

Throughout most of the last century the Choir was closely associated with the cultural life of the Cathedral, giving two major concerts and three Carol Concerts there annually. Several of the Conductors of the Choir to date have also been the Exeter Cathedral organist, and former conductors have included Sir Thomas Armstrong (1927-33), Lionel Dakers OBE (1957-73) and Lucian Nethsingha (1973-88). The present Director of Music, Andrew Millington, who is also Director of Music at the Cathedral, was appointed in early 2004.

In the Spring of 2007, the Choir toured southern Germany, giving three performances of a mixed programme including sacred works from across Europe, to enthusiastic audiences. A brief report (pdf, 229Kb) is available.

150th Anniversary Season 1995/96 The Anniversary Season included a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (the 'Choral') and two performances of Handel's Messiah, the work that the Choir presented at its first concert in April 1847. The Choir made its first tour abroad in 1998, singing in Madrid and Salamanca. At the end of the tour it was presented with the Schott Medal for services to the music of Joaquín Rodrigo by the composer's daughter, Cecilia. Exeter Philharmonic is the only choir to have been honoured in this way. Countess Cecilia is one of the Choir's two Patrons, the other being Sir Neville Marriner CBE. The Honorary President of the Choir is the Mayor of Exeter, and the Choir collaborates regularly with both local and national sponsors in aid of charity appeals, such as the Armenian Earthquake Appeal, Barnardo's, Hospiscare, St Loye's College, The West of England School for Children with Little or no Sight, The Royal West of England Residential School for the Deaf, Worldwide Fund for Nature, and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The Choir is fortunate to have regular sponsors whose generous support makes its ambitious concert programmes possible.

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