Singing together since 1933
Wigan Choral Society
We are
Welcome!
We are a friendly, amateur choir, performing an exciting range of choral works. Led by Musical Director John Powell, we hold 3-4 concerts annually, supported by professional soloists and musicians.
New members warmly welcomed, no audition required.. Just come along to a rehearsal on a Monday night at 7.30 – 9.30 to try us out. We are currently rehearsing at St Stephen’s Church, Whelley, Wigan WN1 3UT (in the church hall if it’s cold).
Save the date
The Manchester Carols
21st December, 7.30, 2024
St Michael’s, Swinley
Magnificat & Stabat Mater
5th April, 7.30, 2025
St Michael’s, Swinley
Come & Sing
8th February, 2025
St Matthew’s, Highfield
Handel’s Dettingen Te Deum
28th June, 7.30, 2025
Location TBC
meet Our Musical Director
John Powell has been involved in music in Manchester for more than 45 years – initially on the staff at Chetham’s and as a member of the BBC Northern Singers, more recently as a freelance conductor, singer and singing teacher. For over 25 years he worked with the National Youth Choir. He currently conducts Bolton Festival Choir and its offshoot, the Phoenix Choir, as well as his own chamber group the John Powell Singers (with whom he has broadcast on BBC Radio nearly 200 times). He has been Musical Director of Tatton Singers in Knutsford since 2005. In 2020, John was delighted to be appointed MD of Wigan Choral Society (a few weeks before the first Covid lockdown!).
John particularly enjoys preparing singers for special events – highlights have included Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast at the Bridgewater Hall and Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius at the Royal Northern College of Music.
Listen to
us perform
Our history
We began as Wigan and District Sunday School Union Choral Society in 1933, set up to perform oratorios in various churches. Under its conductor, Allan Hood, the Society gave its first performance of Mendelssohn’s ‘Elijah’ in Hope Street Congregational Church.
The outbreak of war in 1939 brought a temporary halt to the Society’s activities but in 1943 another ‘Elijah’ heralded the start of a new era and Queen’s Hall, Wigan, was a regular venue for concerts until 1983 when it was partially demolished, losing the performance space. Now we give performances at venues around Wigan borough, but mainly at St Michael’s Church, Swinley.
The choir changed its name in 1968 to Wigan Choral Society, and its conductors have included well-known local musicians such as Ron Kay, David Cutter and Richard Lea. Our current Musical Director is John Powell with deputy conductor Ann Gordon. We try to remain faithful to our roots as a choir which performs mainly sacred music, but we have broadened our range over the years, and always aim to present an entertaining programme for the people of Wigan and district.
I was completely new to choral music when I joined. Everyone is welcoming and my singing and sight-reading ability has improved over the year. There are moments in rehearsals when a piece really comes together and it sounds beautiful. Wigan Choral Society rehearsals are definitely the best two hours of the week!
Joanne Parr