WFCS HISTORY BOOK

"Stunning"... "Fascinating" ... "Remarkable"... "Superb"...

Readers and critics are loving our new 160th anniversary book! 
Order YOUR copy and receive it within days.

Published to celebrate our 160th anniversary in 2021, "A Choral Chronicle" is the new, full-colour, 240-page, soft-touch cover book charting the impressive history of Worcester Festival Choral Society and its unique role in English music-making. Packed with fascinating facts, famous name anecdotes, conductor conversations, member memories and 200+ colour images, it's the perfect treat for any choral music lover. 

Written by chorus member and writer Michelle Whitefoot, the book traces the Society’s story from its Victorian origins through two constitutions, two World Wars, 11 conductors and hundreds of performances to the present day.
 
In it you'll discover:  
   • How WFCS was born in 1861
   • How Sir Edward Elgar led the WFCS ‘Band’ and conducted several of its concerts
   • How WFCS premiered two of Elgar's choral works 
   • Which Treasurer became a five-time Mayor of Worcester
   • The truth behind Conductor Hugh Blair’s mysterious dismissal
   • How WFCS was guest-conducted by Sir Adrian Boult and Sir Hubert Parry 
   • How WFCS helped the Second World War effort
   • Why the WFCS ‘Centenary Concert’ was a mistake
   • How the Society sang at the Royal Albert Hall and for royalty
   • Which past members went on to become major names in English choral music
   • How the music is programmed for WFCS and Three Choirs Festival concerts
… and much more!
 
Copies are available from a range of sources ... and 100% of profits go to Worcester Festival Choral Society funds (Charity no. 506826)

ORDER YOUR COPY:

• By credit card (£20 + £5 p&p, or £20 and collect from one of our events): 
  WFCS ONLINE SHOP (powered by TicketSource)

"This remarkably handsome book is both an invaluable archive from sources of the 160-year history of the Worcester Festival Choral Society and a gripping read of its development over so many years. The index itself provides a mouthwatering guide into the personalities emerging from these pages: Elgar of course, all the cathedral organists from the long-serving William Done, through such giants as Ivor Atkins, David Willcocks and Christopher Robinson, the controversial Donald Hunt, the quietly charismatic Adrian Lucas, and beyond, up to the present day, not without a few hiccups along the road. Michelle Whitefoot, herself a Worcester Festival chorister, has assembled a wonderful publication, replete with photographs and reproductions, and I cannot recommend her labour of love highly enough."  Christopher Morley, music critic (Birmingham Post 23 Sept 2021 / www.midlandsmusicreviews.co.uk Sept 2021)

 

"...This book offers a reminder of the Society’s achievements for performers and audiences alike, and an optimistic focus on the future. A Choral Chronicle is a substantial, attractively designed, reader-friendly account with many superb colour photographs, with all profits going to the Society. Warmly recommended."  Kevin Allen, book reviewer and author (The Elgar Society Journal - August 2021 Full review here)

 

"...Michelle Whitefoot, herself a member of WFCS, has made good use of the available records (which include a rich selection of photographs) and tells an engaging story. It concludes with the choir’s sing-through of Vaughan Williams’s Sea Symphony in an empty cathedral on the night that should have been their last rehearsal before their performance in March 2020, heralding another hiatus in its history. However, Whitefoot vividly conveys the spirit of friendship and enthusiasm that characterises the choir, and feels confident that it can look forward to resuming its activities and continuing for many decades to come." Clare Stevens, classical music journalist Full review here

 

"Wow, it is absolutely stunning! The presentation is wonderful and the idea to use little boxes with anecdotes etc is inspired! The photos are all of the highest quality too and it will all make a wonderful and fascinating read - I can’t wait to get stuck in!" Tom H

"My book arrived this week and it is wonderful. It is a remarkable record of the choral society." Susan R 

"It looks a really magnificent account of WFCS history and the choir should be delighted with what you have done." Jonathan W

"I’m stunned! It’s absolutely fantastic. Many congratulations!" Samuel H 

"What a superb production! Not yet read from cover to cover but I have seen enough to be very impressed." Colin & Laura A 

"I am really enjoying it. Your publication is beautifully produced and readable and the photographs are fascinating." Mela W 

"It's raining and I'm supposed to be doing all sorts of things indoors other than leafing thro and reading chunks of your brilliant book! Thank you and very well done. The extra pictures and little insights make a world of difference." Roger N

"The book is beautiful, eminently readable and really informative - very, very well done to you and all your collaborators." Wynne H