This website uses cookies to collect statistical (not personal) data about your use of the site. Will you allow Google Analytics to track your use of this website?OkayNo thanks
Cookie Policy

History

_L4A0021Dumfries can trace its choral tradition back to 1863 when “Dumfries and Maxwelltown Choral Society” was founded and continued without a break until 1915.  Activities appear to have lapsed at that time, presumably because of the First World War. Although a few minor contributions were made to a series of subscription concerts at the Lyceum Theatre between 1919 and 1921, no formal choral activity is recorded during the next thirty years.

The origins of Dumfries Choral Society date back to 1943.  That year, Edward Murray, headmaster of St John’s School, started up a small choir which met on Monday evenings in St John’s Church with the curate accompanying on the organ.  As the numbers increased, and at Edward Murray’s instigation, the choir met on 5 March 1945 at Greyfriars’ Church and formed Dumfries Choral Society.

The Society’s first performance, held in St John’s Church, just before the Christmas of 1945, was Handel’s “Messiah”. Read more about our links with St John’s Church in this article here.

The Choral Society has been involved with the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival Chorus, the Dumfries and Galloway Chorus, and the National Youth Choir of Scotland Dumfries & Galloway.

See our Archive of Concerts here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

    The Basses hit the top

    The Choral entered several teams in the Dumfries Rotary Club Big Quiz on Friday 9 February. And the Basses swept all before them and won! Well done, Gentlemen! All proceeds from this quiz and the others each Friday in February go to CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young. Pictured here are the winning four […]

    MORE...

    Over £840 raised for SAMH

    Our many thanks to our generous audience at our Christmas Concert. They added to the £380 raised during carol singing at Morrison’s and Tesco supermarkets in Dumfries to raise a total of over £840 for our chosen charity: SAMH (the Scottish Association for Mental Health). Musical Director, Jamie Brand, presented a cheque to Ally Robertson, […]

    MORE...
Donate Funds

How to donate funds

Easyfundraising.org.uk helps thousands of good causes and charities raise money for free. So take advantage of this fantastic fundraising idea, and help raise money easily and quickly by joining the thousands already using easyfundraising.org.uk. Simply make internet searches using ‘easysearch’ and raise money for Dumfries Choral Society at the same time. Easy Search Logo Find out more about Easyfundraising.org.uk