About Wigton Choral Society

Wigton is a market town in north Cumbria situated between Carlisle and Workington. The Wigton Choral Society was founded  in 1950, originally with the twin aims of taking part in the Cumberland Rural Choirs Festival (later to become Cumbria Rural Choirs) and entering music competitions. They certainly had early success in this latter aim, winning two cups in the Carlisle Music Festival the following year, but it was not until 1977, encouraged by Hugh Davies, who took over as Musical Director, that the choir embarked on its first independent venture: a concert of Christmas music at St. Mary's Parish Church, Wigton.

In more recent years the Wigton Choral Society has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the best-known choirs in Cumbria. Now under the baton of Ian Wright, who took over as Musical Director at the beginning of 2008, the choir has acquired a reputation for a high standard of performance with imaginative programming which includes both sacred and secular music from the 15th century right through to the 21st century. For some reviews of the choir's concerts see the reviews page.

Members come from a wide area around Wigton, including Carlisle, Dalston, Caldbeck, Thursby, Keswick and the Solway coast, and currently make up a total of about 60 mixed voices. Wigton Choral Society gives two major concerts a year at in Wigton (usually in St. Mary's church), in December and June, as well as singing in Evensong in churches in north Cumbria, and performing other concerts from time to time. The choir also makes up a significant part of Cumbria Rural Choirs, performing a large-scale choral work with professional orchestra and soloists each Spring in Carlisle or Penrith.

The choir has a committee composed of choir members who are elected at the Choir's Annual General Meeting held in September or October each year. In addition the Cumbria Rural Choirs has its own committee and its own AGM. Naturally some of the Wigton choir people serve on this committee.

The Musical Director of the choir is Ian Wright

The Wigton Choral Society is supported by Making Music with funding from Arts Council England North West , and in 2006 with funding from the Neighbourhood Fora supported by Cumbria County Council and Allerdale Borough Council.

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