A SUMMER recruitment drive by Wellington Choral Society has seen the group’s numbers increase ahead of a concert it is performing next week.

However, the society, which dates to 1871, is still looking for even more members as it plans for an annual spring concert in March, 2024.

Publicity assistant Ann Holland said: “With the help of the Wellington Weekly News, we have recruited a good few new singers and the choir is moving up to the pre-Covid level.

“There is still a way to go, and we are looking to recruit more members to sing in the spring concert.”

The society has been through a previous drop in numbers, after the First World War, but it was revived in the 1930s and re-founded in 1940, continuing to be successful to the present day.

In the autumn, the choir returned to Wellington School to hold its rehearsals, using the prep school in South Street on Wednesdays from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm, and offers a free trial for anybody interested in joining.

It continues to use St John the Baptist Parish Church as a venue for concerts, which is where the choir will give an ‘Italian baroque’ concert on Saturday, November 25, sponsored by Wellington solicitors Porter Dodson.

Under music director Laurence Blyth the singers will perform ‘Gloria’, by Vivaldi, and other works by Caldara, Monteverdi, and Leonarda.

Concert tickets have been priced at £16, but are free for those under 18 years old, and can be bought from society members or on the door, and also via the website here.