I am certain that Joan Phillips, who founded our choir sixty years ago, would be delighted to see how we have prospered and grown over those years.

Earlier this year Gareth Malone stimulated public interest with 'The Choir' on TV, which shows how much pleasure can be achieved by taking part in choral singing. His choirs have very few members with musical experience, whilst ours has a broad range of musical competence.

When, some years ago and with very modest ability, I joined Pershore Choral I could see the challenge ahead of me. I have enjoyed the experience and made many new friends. I have improved but am still far from perfect. Many of our members are far more competent and the abilities (and assistance) of those around me help me and those like me to improve.

With one hundred and twenty (or more) like minded friends looking over the orchestra at the sea of faces in the audience while singing works by Bach, Brahms, Faure, Handel, Haydn and or on through Mozart and more, a concert in the Abbey is such an exciting experience.

If you were to hear us on the first rehearsal night as we open our scores for the first time and then again on the night of the concert, some eleven rehearsals later, you would marvel at the transformation we have achieved under the skilful baton of Carleton and the nimble fingers of Ian.

Part of our duty as a charitable organisation is to 'educate and inform the public' in things musical and particularly choral. This we achieve by performing lesser known works as well as more popular ones. We also encourage young people to join us, at a reduced or nil subscription, depending on age or circumstance. There is no musical qualification required apart from a reasonable singing voice!

We are very fortunate in having an able and hard working committee and our two professionals Carleton and Ian to lead us in our endeavours. Most of all I value the atmosphere at rehearsals - we take it seriously, but we also have time to laugh..

Ron Haden. Chairman.