Warriner Choral Society

Warriner Choral Society was formed in September 1972, at the Warriner School, Bloxham, drawing together pupils from the school, teachers and parents to sing the great choral works.  David Spencer was its first Musical Director and held the post for six years.  The choir’s first concert was Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols.   Subsequent Musical Directors included David Lock, who led the choir for twelve years, introducing Mendelssohn’s Elijah and St Paul to the repertoire.  

As the musical reputation of the school grew, links with the Warriner Choral Society decreased, although rehearsals are still held in the school’s lecture theatre on Tuesday evenings.  The society plays an active part in the life of Bloxham village, most of its concerts being performed in Bloxham church.  It has acquired a good reputation and attracts singers from Bloxham and neighbouring villages. 

Many of the best-loved choral works have been sung by Warriner Choral Society, ranging from the Requiems of Fauré, Mozart and Duruflé to Vivaldi’s Gloria, Haydn’s Nelson Mass and, most recently, Puccini’s and Rossini’s settings of the Messa di Gloria. In 2005, under the present Musical Director, Martin Quinn, members widened their musical repertoire still further, performing popular opera choruses.

The choir has joined other singers in the area for special events: in 2000 they performed Handel’s Zadok the Priest, Parry’s I Was Glad and the finale of Beethoven’s Choral Symphony in a Millennium Concert at St Mary’s church in Banbury. Subsequently they led a ‘Messiah for Hospices’ concert at the same venue. 

In its time the choir has rehearsed and performed in spite of a fuel crisis, an overloaded electrical system (due to bitter weather) and unscheduled Bonfire Night percussion.  We welcome all enthusiastic singers, especially tenors and basses, so do please join us!