2025 marks the Diamond Jubilee for Castle Cary Community Choir. We have run continuously for the last 60 years, and not even COVID-19 could stop us, when we meet weekly on line via Zoom.
Formation
Castle Cary Choir was formed in 1965 after a group of worshippers at Castle Cary Methodist Church met up to sing at a harvest supper. They enjoyed it so much that on 21st October 1965 Castle Cary Choir was born. Their aim was to entertain and raise money for good causes. The first conductor was Castle Cary baker David Vaux with accompanist Mark Jones.
Musical Directors
In September 1976 Ivor Chainey took over as Musical Director and throughout Ivor’s leadership the choir would go on “Singing for Pleasure” days visiting Churches and Cathedrals. They would just wander around, find a special place and spontaneously burst into song! The choir sang in the Bishops Palace and the Gardens of Wells Cathedral. You could even say that Castle Cary Choir were the original pioneers of flash mobs! Under Ivor’s directorship the choir sang in regional competitions through the 1970s and 1980s, winning a number of prestigious awards.
From 2000 to 2009, Dorothy Hann became our musical director having sung with us as a soloist at many of our concerts. Dorothy was a great encourager in developing the ‘community’ in Castle Cary Community Choir, and under her guidance our rehearsals also became a place where we could socialise, share our love of music and singing, and find friends.
Our current Musical Director is the talented Martin Emslie. Martin is a musical force of nature, and has provided his expertise to the choir since 2010. Martin’s musical experience includes as music examiner for the London College of Music, musician (classical, rock / jazz piano and keyboard, church organ, various guitars piano) conductor and composer. As a conductor Martin has been responsible for over 50 theatre productions. The choir is very lucky to have benefitted from Martin’s choral arrangements of popular songs, and well as having the first chance to sing some of Martin’s own compositions. You can read more of Martin’s experience on the Meet our Musical Director page.
Accompanists
Accompanists are a pivotal (if long suffering!) member of a choir, and we are no exception. From our first accompanist Mark Jones, we have been lucky to have dedicated and talented pianists, who each week bravely do their best to keep us in tune! Margaret Somerset was with us for over 35 years, a reassuring presence from rehearsals to concerts here and aboard, including many ‘twinning’ visits to our sister town and it’s choir in Remalard, France.
More recently, we have had the pleasure of being joined by Kylie Borg. An Australian by birth, Kylie enjoyed an international career as a professional musician, and when Kylie finally settled in Somerset, we were lucky to benefit from her expertise. Although Kylie is no longer with the choir, she still has an active musical life teaching and performing.
Our current accompanist, Andrew Bramston, also hails from the antipodes (are we setting a trend?!), and is an accomplished jazz and blues pianist who performs regularly with The Unravelling Wilburys. Andrew has fitted into the choir seamlessly, and has even lent his vocal and conducting talents on occasion.