History

Hallam Choral Society was formed in 1969, under the name “Hallam Singers”, adopting its current name in 1989. A group of singers began rehearsing in Lydgate Night School under the direction of David Higgins. The choir grew and transferred rehearsals to the Hallam School Campus where they became part of Hallam Community Youth Association. Over the years the baton was passed to Derek Humphries and Allan Eost, and then around 1976 Don Greenfield, a teacher at Hallam Middle School, became the conductor. Under Don’s charismatic guidance, the choir grew to about 80 members, in 1983 the choir won First Prize for The Choral Challenge Class at the Mexborough Musical Competition Festival, sadly Don died in 1990.

Vivien Pike took over as musical director and led the choir to win First Prize for Mixed Voice choirs at the Blackpool Music Festival in 1995. After Vivien’s departure a period of consolidation followed with David Sanderson taking up the baton as Musical Director until his departure in 2004.

For the last 5 years, some 40 years on since the group formed, Peter Taylor has led the choir as Musical Director, in performances of Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s Creation, Faure’s Requiem, Stainer’s Crucifixion, Haydn’s Harmoniemesse, Carter’s Benedicite and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.

On a lighter note the choir has performed excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan, various folk and part songs, as well as the great choral classics.

In addition to performing in Sheffield, the choir has also sung in York Minster and Liverpool Cathedral as members of the National Association of Choirs (Group 9), and by invitation at a number of weddings and country houses.