The Ilford Choral Society was formed in 1941 and for its first concert, a performance of Mendelssohn's Elijah was given in January 1942. Distinguished conductors of the Society include Glyn Davis and Charles Farncombe, CBE. Duncan Paterson has been the Society's conductor since 1975. We have always been proud to be able to sing along side wonderful professional soloists. Indeed distinguished former soloists include Kathleen Ferrier, Dame Janet Baker and Benjamin Luxon.

The Society has always had a wide repertoire of both classical and modern major choral works, and it has maintained a good standard of performance through its 63 years of existence. The Society scored a first in April 2001 by giving a performance of the very popular Requiem by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, the only Society in the Borough to tackle this work so far. For the performance the Society was able to engage the acclaimed treble Dominic Kraemer, who is a much sought after performer. 12-Year-old Dominic partnered the soprano soloist, Julia Wilson-James (who is also Dominic's godmother) in the 'Pie Jesu' from the Requiem and also sang 'O for the Wings of a Dove' by Mendelssohn, which he had previously had the honour of singing at the late Queen Mother's 100th birthday celebrations in August 2000.

The Society ran a very successful choral workshop in February 2000 under the baton of John Rutter, who is a well-known composer of both major choral works, as composer/arranger of Christmas carols and as the founder of the Cambridge Singers.

As well as performing, the Choir has a well-developed social life. It organises quiz nights and choral evenings for choir members to attend. As part of the choir's performance calendar we also performance soirees, usually in the summer months. These are informal evenings of light entertainment in a lighter vein, often with particular themes such as Gilbert & Sullivan operetta or a selection of opera choruses.

Most recently in 2005, The Ilford Choral Society was asked to participate in the Rebridge Borough bi-annual Arts Festival. We greatly accepted this honour and performed a wide ranging concert programme, including our take on John Rutter's Wind in the Willows and Puccini's Gloria (Messa di Gloria), for which we were given a standing ovation.

Over the past few years the choir has attracted a greater range of members and developed a wider audience, which we hope we have reflected with a more varied repertoire. Ilford Choral Society celebrated its 65th Anniversary in 2007 with a world premiere performance of Peter White's rock opera 'The Magdalene Chorale.

Suggestions for future perfomances are always welcome.