© B.a.c.l. 2010
Latest updated 6th January 2012
The Spotlight this quarter is on the
“Kendal South Choir”
The origins of Kendal South Choir date to the beginning of the Mary Wakefield Westmorland Festival, which originated in 1885 at Sedgwick, near Kendal, and has an unbroken record of participation in the Festival. The 50-strong choir also performs two major concerts each year.
Two notable conductors have been Jim Noble, a well-known and influential figure in music circles in Kendal and a founder member of Westmorland Music Council, who led the Choir for an impressive
54 years from 1936 until 1990, and, for the last three years, Mark Swinton, inspirational young Director of Music at Kendal Parish Church, under whom the choir has enjoyed singing works hat are not often performed locally, such as “When Icicles Hang” by John Rutter and “Historia di Jephte” by Carissimi, as well as choral classics such as Handel’s “Dettingen Te Deum” and Vivaldi’s “Gloria”.
Mark Swinton has now taken up a new position at the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick, and the choir is seeking a new Director of Music. However, for its performance of Handel’s great work “Messiah” on 10th December 2011 (see entry on page 11) the choir is delighted to have secured the services of prominent Kirkby Lonsdale-based musician Ian Thompson, who has declared himself “totally thrilled” to be conducting “Messiah”.
Jean Robinson – Publicity officer
Kendal South Choir in Rehearsals