Formed in 1867, the Bedford Choral Society is one of the oldest established choral societies in the United Kingdom.

A thriving local choir, the Bedford Choral Society performs three or four times each year - usually in Bedford's historic Corn Exchange. We have approximately 130 full-time members - with singers from other local choirs joining us on occasions for particular concerts. Our Director Music is Ian Smith with Principal Guest Conductor is Michael Rose and Accompanist Tim Grant-Jones.

We regularly perform classical choral works from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries and we have also commissioned a number of works in recent years. We perform with local orchestras such as the Bedford Sinfonia , the Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra, the Bedfordshire County Youth Orchestra and the Milton Keynes City Orchestra .

For the past ten years, the Bedford Choral Society has provided the choir at Bedford's "Proms in the Park" and every other year we give a Family Concert of Christmas Music and Carols with Bedford Town Band.

We rehearse on Monday evenings and welcome new singers. If you would like to sing with us, or would like to support us by becoming a 'Friend of the Society', details are given in the contacts section of this web site.

For any inquiries concerning Bedford Choral Society, please use this e-mail link:

• March 19th 2011 (St Paul's Church)
• Vaughan Williams - 'Five Mystical Songs'
• Duruflé - 'Requiem'
• St.Paul's organ accompt. (Cond. Ian Smith)

• June 11th 2011 (Bedford Corn Exchange)
• Handel - 'Israel in Egypt'
• Bedford Sinfonia (Cond. Ian Smith)

• November 19th 2011 (Bedford Corn Exchange)
• Brahms - 'Song of Destiny'
• Fauré - 'Requiem'
• Fauré - 'Cantique de Jean Racine (Op. 11) '
• Fauré - 'Peléas et Mélisande'
• Bedford Sinfonia (Cond. Michael Rose)

• Early December 2011
• Family Concert of Christmas Music and Carols
• Bedford Town Band (Cond. Ian Smith)