ANDOVER Choral Society are really excited to be back rehearsing so that they can perform a Christmas concert for residents to enjoy.

The evening, on Saturday December 4 at St Mary’s Church, Andover, also celebrates Andover Choral Society’s 50th Anniversary.

They will be bringing you Handel’s glorious Messiah, and other pieces of music, and once again accompanied by the excellent Westminster Chamber Orchestra and well renowned professional soloists, so this promises to be a delightful way to start the festive season.

A spokesperson from Andover Choral Society, said: “We look forward to sharing our evening of music and friendship with you. Sadly, due to Covid restrictions we are not allowed to offer refreshments to celebrate our anniversary. There will however be an interval for you to stretch your legs.”

They are also welcoming new members to join them rehearsing at Rookwood School on Wednesdays from 7.30 to 9.30 p.m. and they aim to produce two concerts annually.

They hope that the festive concert will spread some Christmas cheer amongst followers and the local community.

They will also be performing again in May next year at St Mary’s Church, Andover and are on the hunt for new recruits and new members to help in this exciting project, as they are set to bounce back from the pandemic.

The Hampshire market town of Andover has a long history of choral singing. The original Andover Choral Society was formed in 1866 to perform Handel’s Messiah accompanied by piano and harmonium. Local newspaper archives show details of a concert in 1887 at which Haydn’s Creation was performed. In the late 1920’s Adrian Boult conducted 260 voices in the local Drill Hall and a music festival was set up in 1927, supported by both Sir Adrian Boult and Sir Malcolm Sargent.

For more information about the Choral Society email alexi.king@hotmail.com.