The Brighton Orpheus Choir was founded in 1948 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1998.  For 51 years Patricia Harding directed the Choir.   Every  year several concerts, with professional soloists and orchestra, have been put on.  In the course of its half century the Choir has sung many of the major choral works, both classical and more modern.  You can click here to see some of the works performed in the last 10 years.

MURIEL HART, MBE Our accompanist Muriel Hart has been with the Choir from its earliest days.  In the 2005 New Year's Honours she was made an MBE for services to music and to the community in Brighton & Hove. Muriel has been an accompanist to the choir for over sixty years this year. She has spent all her life in Brighton and has thus become well-known in local music circles. For twenty years she taught at Patcham Junior School, specialising in music, and has seen several past pupils become highly regarded professional musicians. After a year as a lecturer at the former College of Education, she became Music Adviser for primary schools in the Brighton, Hove and Portslade area. During this time she was also responsible for three levels of training orchestras which fed the Brighton Youth Orchestra.  She now directs the Golden Age Singers in Lewes and a U3A Singing Group. For many years she has been an active member of the Sussex Musicians' Club and is its Honorary Secretary. Accompanying singers and instrumentalists is her special interest. She is also a very keen gardener !

Remembering lost friends

When he died on 20 July 2001 at the age of 72, Roy Woolner had been Chairman of the Brighton Orpheus Choir for many years.  He joined the Choir in 1955 and from then on continued to give it not just his fine baritone voice and musicianship, but consistent administrative and practical support.  As Chairman he took a real hands-on role, whether organising and chairing committee meetings, or dealing with the nitty gritty jobs which surround a concert -- planning venues and dates, organising teams to bring and erect the staging.   Each operation was managed with the precision which reflected his former job as Vice-Principal of Varndean College.  Even after the serious illness that followed his visit to India in 1999 he sustained his efforts.  His patience and kind nature shone through the difficulties.  He continued totally supportive.  We have all valued Roy as a close friend and colleague and we know his diligence, involvement and know-how will be very difficult to replace.

Patricia Harding, MBE, BA, LRAM

1998 - the Golden Year

In the 1998 New Year Honours list Patricia Harding was awarded the MBE for services to Music in East Sussex; this recognised her 32 years as Head of Music at Varndean Grammar School for Girls and her 50 years as Conductor of the Brighton Orpheus Choir.

She became in 1948 the Musical Director of the Withdean Choral Society, renamed in 1954 the Brighton Orpheus Choir, and relinquished her baton 51 years later. Over the years the Choir grew not only in numbers but also in musicianship. Pat chose works which challenged us but which under her expert leadership were within our grasp. She broadened our musical horizons.

In her work at Varndean Grammar School for Girls (where so much of her work with choirs and orchestras was done at the end of a tiring day) and in her work with the Brighton Orpheus Choir, only the best would satisfy her and she inspired us all those who worked with her to give their best.  We rejoiced with Pat when her work in music in East Sussex was recognised by that richly deserved award of the MBE.