Since the reforming of Kington Choral Society there have been three Music Directors: In 1996, after a few years in the wilderness, the choir was reformed under Charles Allsopp as Kington and District Choral Society, although the only record of a performance that we have is of a mixed programme for Christmas on December 7th 1998.

By 1999 the Music Director was Maureen Twiddy, and the choir’s title had changed to Kington Choral Society. The first concert was held in the summer featuring Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast, and the choir was accompanied by the Winforton Wind quartet. Over a period of more than ten years the choir went from strength to strength as the numbers grew from 35 to as many as 80 in 2003. Throughout her time, the choir stabilised in number and became far more confident, performing in at least two concerts a year, and Come and Sing events were held as well. Maureen Twiddy retired from the post in 2010, after a substantial contribution to the success of the choir.

In November 2010, Roger Langford took over as Music Director, having sung the bass solo with the choir in the last concert conducted by Maureen, a mix of Michael and Joseph Haydn. Roger brought a new perspective on singing and performing into the choir – rehearsals were never dull or lacking in challenge and members of the choir were stretched in every way (including in the warm up!). Concerts and Workshops continued throughout the five years with Roger, and the introduction of small orchestra accompaniment with Handel’s Messiah in 2013 and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio in 2014 opened the eyes of the choir to the increased enjoyment and enhancement of the presence of multiple musicians.

Very sadly Roger resigned in 2016, and we worked very successfully with our Guest Conductor, James Davies, to perform our May Concert of Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man / Rutter Requiem.

Since September 2016 our choir worked happily with the energetic and enthusiastic Robert Evans, who  brought us through the Covid years and set us on a path for bright future as we explored the broad spectrum of choral music.

Robert retired at the end of 2024 and his place has been taken by Simon Harper who will direct us for our 2025 season of concerts.

Our Musical Director

Simon Harper  is a freelance singer, conductor and teacher. He read Music at the University of York, studied choral conducting with Paul Spicer, and was a member of the prestigious Genesis Sixteen scheme. As a Tenor Lay Clerk in Hereford Cathedral Choir, Simon has sung in live BBC broadcasts, participated in tours of the USA, performed in the Sistine Chapel, and sung at international events in Normandy to commemorate both the 75th and 80th anniversaries of D-Day.

Simon is delighted to be taking over as music director of Kington Choral Society. His busy schedule as a choral conductor also includes the directorships of Hereford Chamber Choir, Ledbury Choral Society, and the Cotswolds-based Cantores Chamber Choir.

Simon has worked with professional orchestra the Central England Camerata, period instrument ensemble The Musical and Amicable Society, and internationally renowned viol consort Fretwork. He has conducted premieres of works by composers including Kerensa Briggs, Liz Dilnot Johnson and Robert Peate at the Three Choirs Festival and the Hay Festival. Simon also teaches singing and A Level Music at schools in Malvern and Worcester.

Our Accompanist

Paul Roberts studied organ and piano as a Junior Exhibitioner at the Royal College of Music, and read music at Oxford as a choral scholar at Worcester College.  For five years he taught music at a leading grammar school in Amersham, and accompanied the school choir in trips to Germany as well as concerts at home. During that time he also conducted the Marlow Choral Society. He then had a change of direction and was ordained as a priest in the Church of England, serving latterly in a South London parish. He continued to accompany both individuals and groups on piano and organ whenever he had the opportunity, and now in retirement he has been able to focus on his earlier musical career, playing the organ from time to time in the local church, and continuo with the Titley Philharmonic. He loves spending time with his family and in the garden, and anything to do with trains – real or model. He is also trying to learn Italian.

Our Committee

Members of our committee are:

Chair – Dick Sawle

Secretary – Sandie Smith

Treasurer – John Edgecombe

Musical Director – Simon Harper

Publicity – Christine Woodhouse

Fund raising – Colin Piers

Librarian – Kate Binney

Hospitality and Catering – Rita Briddson