THE group held their AGM recently.

The music director, Martin Sleaford, opened his report by thanking all members for their hard work in performing three concerts.

The first was a WWI commemorative event held in the Glasshouse Theatre performing popular music from the trenches and music halls.

The concert was enhanced by a wall of poppies made by Wollaston Guides, U3A crotchet group, members of the choir and orchestra and ladies of Stourbridge.

It went on display in the library afterwards and was much admired.

The second concert included Beethoven’s fifth symphony and we were joined by the popular soprano, Claire Hollocks, to sing Mendelssohn’s Hear my Prayer.

The third concert was held on a hot evening in July and was a memorial concert to members of the society who had passed away, including Oenone Dawson, Hilary Edwards, Ruth Lillie who led the orchestra until she was 90 and died aged 99, and Chris Berry who was the man on the door for over 30 years.

We played Chris’s favourite ballet music, Swan Lake, at the end of the concert.

We enjoyed a quiz night in April and a summer outing to Elgar’s birthplace museum near Worcester.

Tony Bridgewater was happy to continue as president, Anthony Blackman as treasurer and Helen Heard was elected secretary.

Long-service awards were presented for thirty years to Bob Hadley, front of house and Sylvia Cooper, choir. For fifteen years to Samantha Matthews, clarinet. For ten years to Jenny Teale, bassoon. For five years to Vic Shrieber, double bass, Rob Croft, trumpet and Angela Hopkins, Jo Bond, Jan Coggan, Phil Bartram, Amanda Field and Cheryl Jasper from the choir.

Next season’s concerts will be a Christmas concert in the Glasshouse Theatre on December 12 at 6.30pm, a spring concert on March 19 and a summer concert on July 2. See stourcos.org.uk The choir and orchestra would welcome new members. No audition is necessary.