Kendal Choral Society celebrated its 130th. year of choral singing in Kendal in 2001. The society is one of the three oldest surviving choral societies in the country, being founded in 1871, initially to help raise funds for an industrial exhibition the following year. In 1872 it was more formally constituted and gave its first performance of Handel's "Messiah" with 50 singers, the performance making a profit of £50 - a considerable sum in those days. The Society has rehearsed and given regular concerts ever since with the exception of a break during the war years. The present conductor, Alan Gardner, the retired former Head of Music at Dallam School has been leading the Society since 1989. Kendal Choral Society maintains a membership of around 50 singers, and is always ready to welcome new members. The choir has a wide repertoire, performing standard choral favourites such as "Messiah" and "Elijah" alongside works by modern composers such as Gorecki and John Tavener as well as a variety of anthems and part songs. On the other hand, a concert "On the lighter side" featured arrangements of popular songs from the '70's and '80's and vocal arrangements of songs from hit musicals such as "Cats" and "Les Miserables". As the Westmorland Gazette put it "this is a choir with one of the widest repertoires in the area". If you would like to come and sing with us, we rehearse in the Kirkland Hall next to the Parish Church on Thursday evenings ( 3 September to May) from 7.30 - 9.30 and you would be assured of a warm welcome. For further information please contact either our Secretary, Pam Dent on 01539 740198 or Chairman Barry Gooderham on 01539 730702