Our History and Heritage

A period of instability - 1971-1974

Mr David Boarder, Music Master at the Priory School was appointed as the new conductor in June 1971

Autumn 1971 - Messiah

Spring 1972 - Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius with the RLPO under Charles Groves

13th December 1972 - Carol Concert at the Music Hall with The Schools’ Orchestra

21st December 1972 Messiah at St Chad’s with Shrewsbury Chamber Orchestra

Spring Concert 1973 - Brahms’ A German Requiem

David Jones’ “The Diamond Years” says “Early autumn [1973] saw probably the most difficult ever time for the society, when a communication was received signed by 10 members (as per society rules requesting an Extraordinary General Meeting to be called to consider that Mr Boarder should not continue as conductor of the Society. Before the meeting took place Mr Boarder resigned and this was accepted at the Extraordinary General Meeting.

Autumn 1973 - Haydn’s St Nicholas Mass, Bach Christmas Oratorio Parts 1 and 2, guest conductor - Bryan Harper of Wrekin Choral Society)

Spring 1974 - Mendelssohn’s Elijah, guest conductor - Rex Hallam (Wellington) with Organist Simon Wright.

Seven applications were received for the role of Conductor and, in the summer of 1974, David Grundy was offered the post and accepted.