The Wycombe Philharmonic Choir is a 70 strong mixed choir based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire where it is particularly recognized for its performance of major oratorio works. Under its present Musical Director, David Cooke, it performs at least one oratorio with leading soloists every year. In recent years, the choir has also introduced a wider repertoire of part songs, motets and spirituals as well as operatic choruses and modern musical items which it performs at local concerts and events. The choir rehearsing for the Wycombe Swan Christmas concerts The choir rehearsing for the Christmas Concerts at the Wycombe Swan The choir welcomes new members in all parts soprano, alto, tenor or bass. Rehearsals are held at Wesley Church, Priory Road, High Wycombe at 7.45 pm every Friday. You are welcome to come and listen or join in. Musical Director: David Cooke BA, BMus, ALCM David Cooke Musical DirectorAt university David specialised first in the early 16th Century English keyboard repertoire and then the music of the later Middle Ages. David is artistic and musical director of the medieval music and drama ensemble Chanterye with whom he also performs. He is also a keyboard continuo and recorder player. To keep himself fully occupied, David is also musical director of the Chess Valley Male Voice Choir while continuing his activities in the production of operas. Accompanist: Michael McMillan ARCM FRSM Michael McMillan AccompanistMichael is a graduate of Durham University, where he studied physics, philosophy, and psychology. Music is now his profession and, alongside accompanying and directing, he has a rapidly growing teaching practice in Beaconsfield. Michael accompanies a number of local choirs, including Princes Risborough Music Society, Great Missenden Choral Society, the Newland Singers and the Wycombe Orpheus Male Voice Choir. THE WYCOMBE PHILHARMONIC CHOIR – A HISTORY The Wycombe Philharmonic Choir has been singing in High Wycombe for 63 years. It was founded in 1944, as the Methodist Circuit Choir, at Westbourne Street Methodist Church, moving a year later to Wesley Methodist Church in Priory Road, where it still rehearses and performs regularly. The choir made its public debut with a performance of Handel’s Messiah and has continued the tradition of performing major oratorio works up to the present day. In its early years it also provided an opportunity for singers from different local churches to join together to put on performances for special occasions including presentations of Gilbert & Sullivan, an annual carol festival and other musical events. In 1951 the Civic Authorities asked the choir to arrange a concert in Wycombe Town Hall to celebrate the Festival of Britain and other churches were invited to cooperate. This led to the choir becoming the Wycombe Free Church Choir and part of the national Free Church Choir Union for many years, regularly taking part in National Choral Events at the Albert Hall in London. Wycombe Philharmonic Choir in 1951 at the Festival of Britain Concert This picture, taken in 1951, shows the choir at the Festival of Britain Concert Always a substantial mixed choir, the Free Church Choir soon developed a reputation for excellence under its Musical Director, Kenneth Fox, who led the choir from its early days until the 1970s when he handed over the baton to Denys Hood. Denys continued as Musical Director of the choir for some 30 years, managing its transformation into the Wycombe Philharmonic Choir and encouraging an expansion of its repertoire to include folksongs, spirituals and light music as well as classical works. He retired in 2002. The arrival of David Cooke, the current Musical Director, in 2003, has seen the choir’s reputation for high quality performances continue to grow and we now welcome the many new Members who want to be part of this outstanding musical experience. For details of our current programme, click on the Concert Programme link below.

Telephone: 01494 813015
Website: http://www.wycombephil.org.uk/