The Suffolk Chronicle dated 24th January 1824 announced that a Musical Society was to be formed and a concert to be held at the end of March 1824. That Musical Society was Ipswich Choral Society and started out with around 20 singers. The newly formed society met on Tuesdays once a fortnight to rehearse for their first concert, and Ipswich Choral Society still meets on a Tuesday, although rehearsals are now weekly.
Singing in a choral society was a popular pastime in the late 19th Century. By 1885 there were 264 members of Ipswich Choral Society made up of 94 sopranos, 65 altos, 40 tenors and 65 basses. Today Ipswich Choral Society has around 90 members, and always happy to welcome new members.
On 23rd January 2024, Ipswich Choral Society celebrated the anniversary of it’s formation 200 years ago during an extended rehearsal break. The cake was absolutely delicious and totally demolished!! We sang even better after the break and now can’t wait to perform The Creation at Snape Maltings with Halifax Choral Society and the Britten Sinfonia to celebrate in style.
