History of the Choir
The Choir was formed in 1946 when Hilary Preston was asked to assemble a group of singers to provide incidental music to “The Amber Gate”, a pageant play staged by Mid Sussex Girl Guides and Boy Scouts. The pageant, advertised in the Mid Sussex Times as “a treat for all ages”, proved a memorable experience for all taking part. Tickets were 2/6d.
The Choir entered the annual Lewes Music Festival the following year and in 1954 won the silver cup.
1961 saw a new departure for the Choir with the singers in costume providing the chorus for “Don Pasquale” sung by a group of young soloists from Glyndebourne.
In 1996 the Choir celebrated its Golden Jubilee with a Gala Concert of Last Night of the Proms favourites at Haywards Heath's Dolphin Leisure Centre.
A photo of the Choir in 2006. In the centre, standing in front of our current Musical Director, Andrew Sutton, is Fiona Fawcet who, together with her Aunt, Hilary Preston, had set up the Choir in 1946 and was its accompanist for many years.
In 2016 the Choir celebrated its 70th anniversary with a concert at St Wilfrid’s Church, Haywards Heath, including works by Vivaldi and Puccini to orchestral accompaniment.
In 2018 the Choir - with help from some members of the audience - performed songs from the Musicals
