History

A Brief History

• The Farnham & Bourne Choral Society (F&BCS) traces its roots to 1925, when it gave its first concert in Farnham.
• The choir emerged as an off-shoot of the Farnham & Bourne Music Club, which had been founded in 1922 to offer opportunities for professional music-making and listening in the local area.
• Over the decades F&BCS has grown into a large mixed-voice choir (membership often over 80) performing major choral repertoire (large-scale works) about three times a year.
• Rehearsals typically take place weekly (Wednesday evenings) from September to early June at South Farnham School..
• In 2016 the choir marked a “new era” when longtime Musical Director Robin Wells (who had led the choir for 47 years) retired, and Calum Fraser took over as MD.
• Under current Musical Director Ben de Souza (appointed 2021) the choir continues this tradition, and the society entered its centenary season in 2024/25 — for example commissioning a new work by President Graham Ross premiered in autumn 2024.
• The Society is also a registered charity (Charity No. 288900) and is active in Farnham’s cultural life, performing at venues such as Farnham Maltings and St Thomas‑on‑The Bourne Church.