Shrewsbury Choral in the News
February 2024
Warmest congratulations to Caroline Thewles, Shrewsbury Choral’s President, who was very pleasantly surprised to be awarded the High Sheriff’s Award for activity and contribution in enhancing the life of the community at an event commemorating the Birthday of Charles Darwin on 12th February. In her citation, High Sheriff Mandy Thorn referred not only to Caroline’s steadfast support of BookFest over many years but to her support and fund-raising for our music-making in Shrewsbury Choral.
The event, part of the annual Darwin Festival held at Mount House, the birthplace of Charles Darwin, included readings by Andrew Bannerman from the letters and diaries of Charles and Emma Darwin and was closed by a performance of Robert Schumann’s Traumerei (Dreaming) from Scenes of Childhood given by Shrewsbury Choral’s accompanist, John Bowen.
Caroline Thewles (r) receiving her award from High Sheriff Mandy Thorn
(l-r) John Hughes, Andrew Bannerman, Mandy Thorn, John Bowen
photographs - Annabel Moeller
January 2024
DAVID JONES
It is sad to report the death of David who has been a key figure in the history and times of Shrewsbury Choral Society. David and his wife Megan joined the choir in the 1980’s and quickly became part of its function and management. David became Chairman in 1996 until 1999 and was then Librarian until 2005. He became President of the choir from 2009 until 2012.
A key feature of his work for the choir was the production of a history of Shrewsbury Choral Society, called “The Diamond Years - Some before and some after 1941-2006”. This involved detailed research and commitment and the final document has proved a useful reference for the committee and members who have followed on from that time.
David did not stop at that. When the new theatre opened in 2009 David was anxious that the choir should repeat history and be the first choir to sing there with a performance of Handel’s Messiah. Shrewsbury Choral Society had sung this work at the opening of the new Music Hall in the 1840’s. This would be an expensive venture but this did not stop David. He spent endless hours fund raising and persuading people to donate to this special event which proved a sell out and set the theatre and the choir on its way.
When a new Musical Director arrived in 2014 with a new programme of special events David, at the age of 78, decided that it would be fun to celebrate 55 years of marriage to Megan and join her on a zip wire event to raise funds for the choir. This they did in 2015 and were able to help fund a special Concert in March of that year.
It is good to remember David and his active involvement in SCS over many years. He will be long remembered through his production of the choir history, but the personality, good humour and endless positive thinking made him a real asset to the choir.
Thelma Foster
David’s hard work in compiling our history, “The Diamond Years” is the foundation of our online history which may be read HERE