About the society
Woodstock Music Society (WMS) was formed in 1975 to provide an outlet for the talents
of local amateur musicians. From modest beginnings (the outcome of a parents’ evening
at Woodstock Primary School), it has grown from strength to strength. It now comprises
a mixed voice choir of about ninety singers, with its own string orchestra. Paul
Ingram (pictured) has been its Music Director since 1983.
The Society gives three concerts a year, each of them on two consecutive evenings,
in St Mary Magdalene Church. Most concerts consist of one or two choral items, and
a purely orchestral work for which the orchestra is complemented by additional woodwind,
brass and percussion players. The orchestra has a professional leader, and professional
singers are engaged as soloists whenever necessary.
Choir rehearsals take place on Thursday evenings in Woodstock Town Hall, and the
string orchestra rehearses there fortnightly on Tuesday evenings.
Every summer, there is an opportunity for singers from the choir to rehearse and perform away from home, either in the UK or in Continental Europe, rehearsing and performing music suitable for a smaller group. Known as the Woodstock Chamber Choir, it has given concerts in Paris, Rome, Prague, Venice, Barcelona, Rouen, Copenhagen and Amsterdam as well as in cathedral cities in England and Wales