A CHORAL society is celebrating after securing a £500 grant from Kendal Town Council
to help fund its new staging.

To mark the occasion, the Mayor of Kendal, Julia Dunlop, attended the Kendal Choral Society's spring concert on Saturday April 13 at St. George’s Church,

It included performances of Durante’s Magnificat and Goodall’s Eternal Light which
were enhanced by a string quartet led by Julian Cann and professional vocal soloists Patrick and Jessica Relph.

The programme also included Chilcott’s God So Loved The World and a
string quartet, The Southwell Suite, written by the choir’s Musical Director, Duncan Lloyd.

Previously, the Kendal Choral Society has had to hire staging from other local choirs. This grant will enable the choir to commission its own and it is hoped that it will be completed in time for the first event of the choir’s 2024-25 season, a Come and Sing workshop in October, which aims to raise funds for Manna House. 

Duncan Lloyd, Musical Director, said: "Kendal Choral Society is the oldest in Cumbria and one of the oldest in the country. It is a very friendly and welcoming non-audition choir but which aims high and expects much of its members."

The group rehearses on a Thursday evening from 7.30 to 9.30pm at Ghyllside Primary School in Kendal. The choir performs a minimum of two concerts a year – one in Spring and one at Christmas – with the occasional extra performance in the Summer.

Its next concert, comprising a programme of lighter music, will take place in Pendleton Village Hall on May 25. Anyone interested in joining them is guaranteed a warm reception and should visit the choir’s website for further information at www.kendalchoral.org.uk.