Founded in 1844, Ulverston Choral Society is proud to be one of the oldest choral societies in the country. Preceded by societies formed in the industrial towns of the north - Halifax Choral Society the first in 1816, Huddersfield Choral Society (1836), and Lancaster Choral Society (1836) - Ulverston took the decision in 1844 to build on an already lively tradition of singing and performance in the town to form a properly constituted choral society of its own. Its original purpose may have been to fundraise for the Temperance Society, with whom it was then affiliated. However, from 1846 onwards its ties to that organisation seem to have ceased.
First concert
Ulverston Choral Society's first concert, conducted by A. B. Salmon, took place at the National School on Thursday 15th August 1844. The programme was composed of classical works by Handel, Haydn and Mendelssohn combined with popular items from the musical stage and songs in the glee tradition. We don't know how many members sang in that first concert or how it was received, but as the society has survived for 180 years (not withstanding wars and pandemics) we think we can say with confidence that it was a success.
Celebrity Concerts
It appears from the archive that under its charter the society undertook to present an annual 'Celebrity Concert' in spring as well as lighter musical entertainment at intervals throughout the year. Works chosen for the Celebrity Concerts were from the great oratorios including Haydn's Creation and Handel's Samson and Judas Maccabaeus. Many were large-scale performances involving nationally known soloists and a home-grown orchestra augmented by members of the Hallé and other northern symphony orchestras. The choir, sometimes joined by others in the area, would number over 150.
Centenary Concert
Elijah has been the choir's firm favourite over the years, performed more times than any other choral work. It was chosen for the society's centenary which fell in war time and was celebrated in 1946. Strangely, during its first 150 years, the full version of Messiah was rarely performed by the society. At one time there was a gap of 31 years between performances.
Festival of Britain
In 1951, along with choirs throughout the country, Ulverston Choral Society gave a concert at the Roxy Theatre to celebrate the Festival of Britain. It comprised a performance of Carmen in the first half and, in the second half, solo performances of classic pieces including Tchaikovsky's 'None but the Weary Heart', 'Sea Rapture' by Eric Coates, and Parry's 'Blest Pair of Sirens' sung by the choir. In the programme notes the committee wrote:
'We are naturally proud of our long history ..... few societies can boast of having presented concerts in two festival years a century apart'.
Great Exhibition
Unfortunately we don't have a copy of the concert programme celebrating the Great Exhibition in 1851.
