About us

Established in 1953

Halstead Choral is one of the oldest non-audition musical societies in Essex with records going back 75 years. The choir has a reputation for presenting concerts of a wide and varied content to a high standard of musical performance. Halstead Choral sings a variety of music and we hold 4 concerts a year including a Carol Concert at Christmas. ​

In 2017 we celebrated 60 years as Halstead and District Choral Society although records went back at least another 25 years under different names.
Halstead Choral was originally known as the The Halstead Singers before it renamed as Halstead and District Choral Society in 1957, and renamed again in 2018 as Halstead Choral. The choir disbanded during the Second World War and was reformed in 1953 by the well known local musician Cecil Sturgis who conducted the Society for twenty seven years. A long line of esteemed conductors have followed:
Musical Director                Year

Cecil Sturgis                         1953 to 1981
John York Skinner             1981
Stephen Kenna                  1982 to 1985
Tim Miller                             1985
David Wood                        1987
Richard Walshaw              1989 to 1990
Roger Muttit                       1991 to 1992
Tom Langley                        1992
Moira Frize-Williams      1993 to 1996
Jonathan Linridge            1996 to 1997
Martin Seymour               1997 to 2003
Toby Parr                            2003 to 2006
Mark Bellis                         2006 to 2009
Ellis Bell                               2009 to 2013
Philip Prior                         2013 to 2017
James Davey                     2017 to date 
Halstead is a small market town of some 11,053 people situated in Essex, 5 miles from the Suffolk border. Its wide elevated High Street boasts a market on 2 days a week and has an interesting variety of shops, pubs, cafes and business.

A 14th Century, St Andrew's, Church dominates the High Street and it is where the majority of our concerts are performed.

You can find out more about the town here: www.halstead.org.uk
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