The Choir History & Its Musical Past
‘Northampton Musical Society’ was formed in 1896 to comprise a choir and an orchestra, and its choir developed in succeeding years under a handful of conductors including the organist of St Matthew’s Church in the early twentieth century, Charles J King. During this time, the Choir went from strength to strength, performing substantial choral works and earning a prestigious reputation.
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by Judy Burrage
The ‘Northampton Musical Society’ was formed in 1896 to comprise a choir and an orchestra, and its choir developed in succeeding years under a handful of conductors including the organist of St Matthew’s Church in the early twentieth century, Charles J King. During this time, the Choir went from strength to strength, performing substantial choral works and earning a prestigious reputation.
Their longest serving conductor has been the late Graham Mayo, who took over the reins in the early 1960s and remained with the choir until the end of 2004. During his tenure, the Society had changed its name to ‘Northampton Philharmonic Choir’ and with the City of Birmingham Orchestra performed Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius in Tewkesbury Abbey, Gloucestershire, the first time that the Choir had sung outside its native county. Over the following quarter of a century, during which time the Choir was also known as ‘The Philharmonic Choir’ it gave concerts not only in a variety of venues in Northampton itself but also in the cathedrals of Peterborough, Lincoln, Wells, Bury St Edmunds and Gloucester, with further performances in Northampton’s Derngate and London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall.
After a brief interregnum Christopher Mabley was appointed as Graham’s successor in October 2005 and enjoyed eighteen years on the podium. Under his baton the Choir returned to its roots and once again became known as ‘Northampton Philharmonic Choir’ and programmes included music ranging from Byrd and Palestrina to the present day. 
In November 2009, the Choir celebrated Henry Purcell’s 350th anniversary with a wide-ranging concert of his music; they have regularly featured Handel’s music in concerts of works such as his Coronation Anthems and Chandos Anthems; whilst in March 2019 they presented a concert dedicated to both the familiar and less-well-known music of Ralph Vaughan Williams including Toward the Unknown Region and An Oxford Elegy. In 2011 the Choir visited Althorp House to sing a programme of Christmas music; they have twice sung Tudor madrigals at Boughton House as part of its commemoration of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605: and in the summer of 2016 they sang Captain Noah & his Floating Zoo (in a downpour!) at St Peter’s Harrington as part of the annual series of Harrington Concerts.
The Choir celebrated its 125th anniversary by giving the first performance of Pleasures of Fancy, a suite of brand-new musical settings of poems by the Northamptonshire poet John Clare set to music by Christopher Mabley.
In September 2023, following the retirement of Christopher Mabley, the choir appointed its seventh Musical Director, Thomas Moore, who takes up the baton to lead choir into a new chapter of its illustrious history.
As well as singing the standard and well-loved choral repertoire from before the twentieth century, the Choir also sings music from more recent times by composers such as Michael Tippett, Benjamin Britten, Maurice Durufle, Oliver Messiaen, Richard Rodney Bennett, George Shearing and John Rutter.
Formed in 1896 as Northampton Musical Society (NMS) the choir performed substantial choral works in local venues with choirs of up to 200 members.
A Rich Choral History of Singing Events in Northampton
English Heritage Poster from 1988 featuring Our Previous Musical Director Graham Mayo
Graham Mayo became the choir's conductor in 1963 and under his direction the choir steadily expanded its performing horizons, giving concerts with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
A Northampton Choir Programme from the 1989 Family Concert at Christmas
In 1973, NMS changed its name to Northampton Philharmonic Choir, and performed Elgar's Dream of Gerontius in Tewkesbury Abbey, the first time that the choir had sung outside Northamptonshire.
A Northampton Choir Programme from the 1989 Family Concert at Christmas
The choir then continued to give performances in Northampton, but also in many British cathedrals, and in London's Queen Elizabeth Hall. In 2004 the choir released a CD recording of Tchaikovsky's Nine Sacred Pieces.
English Heritage Orchestra Quartet
An event with an English Heritage Orchestra Quartet. The choral singing event took place at the Church of St Mary in Fawsley
Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day at Holy Trinity Church in Rothwell
Christopher Mabley was appointed Musical Director in October 2005, and he developed the scope and repertoire of the choir. Programmes included performances of the choral classics and included a wider range of musical genres and styles from across the centuries.
A Northampton Choral Performance of John Rutter Requiem at St Michael's Church in November of 2016
Concerts are held principally in Northampton, though the Choir also sings from time to time at Holy Trinity Church in Rothwell and St Mary's Church in Finedon, and occasionally visits other venues around the county.
| # | Name | Last Event Attended | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maria Arce-Moreira | 19 March 2022 | Really enjoyed the event. It was so wonderful to see so many happy smiling faces. |
| 2 | Hilary Bull | 14th December 2021 | I love singing in this choir because of the variety of music we sing |
| 3 | Margaret Vinton | 17th December 2019 | It was wonderful to hear everyone 'raise the roof!' 👏👩❤️👩 Keep up the good work!! |
| 4 | Roy Atkinson | 16th July 2022 | There is no better way to leave all your cares behind than to join us on a Tuesday night, take a deep breath and sing |
| 5 | Anne Widdup | 2019 June 29 (live) | Singing with the choir gives me the opportunity to sing a wide range of music with like minded people |
| 6 | Zoe Robinson | 16th July 2022 | I love singing with Northampton Philharmonic Choir as I like to learn new pieces and its challenging. I know it’s good for my mental health and gives me a lift every time. I enjoy concentrating on the music and the collective community spirit it brings working together to improve. |
| 7 | Julia Pearson | 24th November 2019 | Singing with Northampton Philharmonic Choir lifts the soul, improves one's breathing, involves meeting like-minded people. Above all we have the opportunity to sing uplifting music encouraged and guided by our conductor [with endless patience] who cares deeply about the quality of our singing. In short - a glance of heaven (assuming there will be loads of singing and praising when/if we get there!) |
| 8 | Mark Henderson | 26th June 2018 | I love the sense of satisfaction from mastering a tricky section in some of the music we sing. The achievement is incredibly rewarding. I love singing and socialising with a great group of people. The sense of fellowship and common purpose gives me real pleasure. The greatest pleasure I get from singing is on those occasions when I am overwhelmed by the emotion I feel inside which comes from some of the music we perform. |
| 9 | Sue Howes | Joining the choir was a great way to meet new people after moving to the area. The music is varied and provides exactly the right amount of challenge. NPC is good for body and soul - I highly recommend it! | |
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Other Articles by The Northampton Philharmonic Choir...
Below are some other articles by The Northampton Philharmonic Choir that you might find interesting. Check out our Concerts section too see our upcoming events and past shows. Or why not come to one of our "Come Along And Sing" Events?
Sue Howes
A Member of The NPCSue Howes is a member of the Northampton Philharmonic Choir and also enjoys attending musical performances in the Northamptonshire area. They love meeting new members, making new friends and singing. Why not contact us and get involved, either by coming along to one of our Come and Sing events, you can book tickets to one of our next concerts or why not become a member and join in the fun.
