Bourne Choral Society

The society was originally formed in the 19th century but did not survive. It was re-formed in 1980 as the Abbey Consort but reverted to the original name in 2001 and by 2012 there were 30 members, men and women of all ages who enjoy rehearsing and performing together, a mix of enthusiastic beginners and experienced performers and a range of voices that include soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

The group now performs regular concerts at the Abbey Church in Bourne, and elsewhere with a varied repertoire ranging from traditional folk song arrangements, modern popular songs, spirituals, anthems and carols.

The society does not hold formal auditions but welcomes anyone who wants to sing, irrespective of their age or experience, the only commitment being to attend as many rehearsals on Monday evening as possible and to put in some practice at home.

There are currently three concerts a year, in the spring, summer and at Christmas, although invitations to sing at weddings or at other churches in the area are readily accepted. The society also joins with the choir of the Abbey Church on many occasions to sing evensong under their director John Saunders. Chairman in 2012: John Riley.

The society was giving regular performances to entertain in the 19th century with a varied programme of Victorian drawing room ballads and instrumental solos which were popular at the time, the earliest being recorded in 1875 although the reception was indifferent because the Grantham Journal reported on Saturday 24th April: "A concert of a superior class was given on Wednesday evening last in the Corn Exchange by Madame Thaddeus Wells, Mr Orlando Christian and Mr Henry Nicholson, assisted by the Bourne Choral Society. The audience was select but small, which we regret, as the talent displayed was of no ordinary character."

However, the society had quite a different reception when it gave an annual grand evening concert at the Corn Exchange on Tuesday 23rd May 1882 with music and song that delighted a packed audience.

Among the items were a pianoforte duet, Hungarian Dances, played by Miss Bell and Mr Lewis; a part song, The Vikings, and Come into the Garden Maud, sung by Mr Dunkereton; a duet, Una Sera d’Amore, sung by the Misses Farebrother; a song, Ehren on the Rhine, sung by Miss Maud Farebrother; violin solo, Gerard’s Sonata in F, by Mr Bertollé; the song When the heart is young by Miss Bell; the song Tom Bowling by Mr Dunkerton and an encore How to ask and have; Anderton’s Cantata The wreck of the Hesperus performed by the Choral Society, the solos being taken by Miss Hobson, Mr Dunkerton, Mr Belton and Mr Stubley; the song Some day sung by Miss Maud Farebrother together with an encore Mistress Prue; a part song, You stole my love, by the Choral Society; the song Goodnight beloved by Mr Dunkerton and an encore, Pretty Jane; a trio, Memory, by the Misses Farebrother and Miss Bell; and finally a ballad by Mr Lewis followed by God save the Queen.

The concert was a tremendous success and the following Friday, the Stamford Mercury reported: “The singing of Mr Dunkerton, who is principal tenor at Lincoln Cathedral, was especially worthy of praise and was received with tremendous applause. Mr Dunkerton has a splendid compass of voice together with a remarkable sweetness of tone which is rarely excelled and which was shown to special advantage in his rendering of Tom Bowling. The concert throughout was of a highly interesting character, the choruses by the society fully maintaining the reputation obtained by Mr Lewis as a conductor, and considering the small number of members, Mr Lewis is to be congratulated upon his success.”

WRITTEN NOVEMBER 2013