About Fernhurst Choral Society

Who We Are

Fernhurst Choral Society is a thriving mixed-voice choir based in West Sussex. We have around 60-70 members and normally perform three concerts throughout the year, which are typically held in Petworth, Petersfield and Chichester, including regular concerts in Chichester Cathedral. We pride ourselves on imaginative and varied programming. We are committed to collaborating with talented young professional singer soloists and instrumentalists, many of whom are at the start of their professional careers.

We have performed many of the major choral works (i.e. Requiems and Masses) by Bach, Brahms, Bruckner, Handel, Haydn, Faure, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Schubert and Verdi. In addition, we have performed more modern works by Britten, Chilcott, Dyson, Jenkins, and Rutter, the classics of the Jazz and Swing era and operatic pieces by Bizet, Donizetti, Puccini, Purcell and Verdi.

In 2013 we founded the Downland Sinfonia (originally the Fernhurst Chamber Orchestra), a professional ensemble that accompanies many of our concerts.

Since 2014 we have also run hugely enjoyable annual “Come & Sing” events.

 

History

Fernhurst Choral Society was formed in 1953 to sing at the village pageant in Fernhurst to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

The following year the Society performed and competed at the Petersfield Musical Festival. Our association with the Peterfield Musical Festival continues to this day and we are now the single largest choir taking part.

From those early days the Society's membership has grown and we have undertaken exchanges with European choirs including hosting Le Chant Sacré from Geneva in an all Schubert programme in St Paul’s Chichester..

 

Charitable Status

Fernhurst Choral Society is a charity (No: 1068101), registered with the Charity Commision of England & Wales

Our charitable objective is to:  "Promote improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of music in all its aspects by the presentation of public concerts and recitals ..."

If you are not an active singer, you can assist the Society's activities by financially supporting us in the following ways:

• Make a personal Donation
• Become a Friend of FCS
• Provide Corporate Sponsorship