A former Droitwich High School headmaster, the late Clifford Bingham, launched the Concert Club in 1973 with the aim of bringing to Droitwich live professional chamber music. Two distinguished musicians, Christopher Robinson and the late Marjorie Thomas gave the inaugural concert in the theatre within Droitwich High School but in 1989 the Club moved to the Methodist Church which has a better acoustic and a more intimate ambience.
There are five concerts a year at the Methodist Church plus a Summer concert. Each season the mix of artists ensures something for all tastes with string quartets, instrumental or vocal soloists, baroque or early music groups, wind or brass ensembles. As well as bringing in established artists, the Club does try to encourage up-and-coming ones and was fortunate to 'spot' amongst others the Maggini and Coull string quartets, pianist Llyr Williams and baroque chamber ensemble Florilegium all of whom have since gained international recognition.
Outstanding artists from Russia, Japan, France, the U.S.A. and the Czech Republic have appeared over the years; the quality of the artists regularly attracts enthusiasts from far afield.
In January 2007, the Club celebrated its 200th concert with a performance by Baroque group Charivari Agréable.
In summer 2010, the club was privileged to host a concert given by our President, Dr Christopher Robinson and tenor Allan Clayton.
2012-13 is our 40th season, which is being generously supported by a grant from the City of Birmingham Orchestral Endowment Fund.
To commemorate this anniversary we have commissioned (jointly with our friends at Bromsgrove Concerts who will be commemorating their 50th season) a short work for clarinet and string quartet from Ian Venables (see below). The new work is scheduled to receive its first performances in March 2014, and the commission has been made possible by funding from the Ernie Kay Trust Fund.
Droitwich Concert Club is a member of Making Music West. For websites of other local Making Music concert clubs, please go to our Links page. |
