Ipswich Choral Society

The Ipswich Choral Society is a friendly choir of around 90 members. It was formed in 1824 and is the second oldest choral society in England. The Society has attracted a membership with a wide range of musical experiences and has entertained the public with performances across a wide musical repertoire.

We rehearse on Tuesday nights at Northgate Arts Centre Sidegate Lane West, Ipswich, IP4 3DF and we usually present three main concerts each year, performing in local churches, the Ipswich Corn Exchange, Ipswich School and, occasionally, Snape Maltings Concert Hall.

We welcomed our new Music Director Christopher Borrett in January 2025, already well-known in Ipswich having been appointed Director of Music at Ipswich Minster in 2015. After studying music at New College Oxford, Chris sang professionally in London and across the world. He was a member of the Monteverdi Choir and a founding member of the Marian Consort. Chris also directs the Ipswich Minster Chamber Choir. His work also incorporates choir training, singing, composing, and working as a singing teacher in the Ipswich area.

Ipswich Choral Society is pleased to have as its President the international conductor Cem Mansur, who has conducted the choir six times in the UK, most recently at Snape Maltings Concert Hall and twice in Turkey when members of the choir were invited to perform at the Istanbul International Music Festival and the Izmir Festival.

On a regular basis, the Society's rehearsals are usually followed by a visit to The Woolpack in Ipswich to continue the active social scene of the choir!