A brief history

The New Music Society, as it was first known, was formed on Tuesday, February 20th 1968 at an inaugural meeting held in Kidderminster Public Library, with its first Committee meeting three days later, under the Chairmanship of Anthony Davis. It was formed under the rather radical slogan "Players and listeners unite". At the first AGM when the committee's recommendations for subscription rates were overturned and lower charges agreed, the Single subscription was fixed at one guinea with Family membership at £1.10s.The outcome has coloured the lives of many music lovers from the surrounding area for over 40 years.

In the early days the programmes consisted mostly of live music. In fact monthly recitals were promoted featuring local musicians who performed for free. The first recorded music recital was held in April 1968 and thereafter in members' homes until February 1969 when an association with a record retailing venture came along to start "external" programmes, first held at Gilt Edge Carpets where the boardroom table had to be dismantled before the audience could be let in!

Our Music Society has never been less than ambitious and the early days were notable for the plans to establish its own orchestra. Considering that the first rush for membership produced a positive cash flow of only £28/15/11, this now seems an almost reckless challenge. After plenty of problems, including a first rehearsal at which it was found that the full programme was beyond the capabilities of the majority of players", the first concert, suitably amended for repertoire, did get under way in November 1969 at Hartlebury Castle, and was a great success.

There were a couple more concerts but, after more problems with missing players, lost music parts, cancelled concerts, the resignation of its leader and eventually of its conductor, by 1971 the society's orchestral activities had been frozen and the Mercian Chamber Orchestra ceased to perform.

The society's ambitions extended to the structure of its "top table". The Bishop of Worcester was invited to become the first President but there is no evidence in the minute book of any response. At this point HRH Prince Charles was invited but his equerry wrote that "he had not yet begun to accept any patronages". Eventually John Joubert accepted the position and has given far more practical benefit to the Society than any that the other candidates might have offered.

There were some higher spots around this time, notably the first of two recitals by the Lindsay String Quartet in September 1971 when over 125 were present in the audience at the Art Gallery. The Quartet had cost £125 and the Admission was a newly decimalised 60p.

In February 1972 we joined the National Federation of Gramophone Societies (NFGS), and our first exchange visit with another society took place in the June at the newly formed Halesowen Gramophone Society. Sadly by 1974 the Halesowen group had already closed!

At the time of its formation, the Society's title had distinguished it from other local music societies but later had its consequences as artistes engaged for live concerts subjected the listeners to avant-garde music. One hippy-looking group banged the piano heavily with gloved hands, plucked its strings and blew whistles- sensitive ears couldn't cope with it and so in 1976 the name was changed to the Classical Music Society without a geographical indicator since members came from all over the Wyre Forest district plus further afield such as Hagley, Ludlow, Stourbridge and Bromsgrove.

Over our forty years we have presented nearly 1000 programmes, recitals or other events. Fine memories abound amongst which there are some real outstanding moments. e.g. The Lindsay Quartet recitals, the King's Singers, Wyre Forest Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Da Camera, Pendyrus Male Voice Choir, Academy of St. Philips Orchestra, Roger Fisher's organ recital in the Town Hall, Lewis Lev's dramatic presentations, Denis Matthews and Allan Schiller piano recitals, plus the Birmingham Conservatoire recitals, thirteen years of Christmas concerts by Worcester Cathedral Choir, and the successful hosting of two major AGMs of both the NFGS and its successor the FRMS.

The Recorded Music Circle has presented programmes since 1969. Often given by its own members or visitors from the musical fraternity and sister societies, over eight hundred presentations have featured a whole range of music representing all styles from early music through baroque, classical, romantic to twentieth and now twenty first century compositions by famous composers and the lesser known. Orchestral, instrumental, chamber, vocal and choral music have all been included.

As well as live music recitals by leading artistes, the Society has also been very active in promoting performances by younger musicians. In celebrating the Society's fortieth anniversary, another landmark in our history has been achieved. Although Peter Bradley had first performed for the Society in September 1980, it was not until 1983 that the series of Young Musician's Recitals was started with an initial recital featuring two artistes who became firm favourites, namely Sally Bishop and Ellis Baker. This series was based on the talented pupils of President, Beryl Chempin, and the recitals have continued on an annual basis. In that same year, Beryl had accepted an invitation to become Vice President and so in 2008 the Society has celebrated the double cause of a quarter-century of music making by talented young artistes and of 25 years devoted and invaluable service.