Welcome to the web page of West Dorset Singers!

We are a choral society in Bridport, West Dorset, with a strong tradition of performing the finest choral works from the Baroque to the modern day. Our new term begins on Tuesday 10th September 2024, with new members always welcome to attend.

This year's repertoire includes Mendelssohn Hymn of Praise, Poulenc Gloria, Parry Blest pair of Sirens and Orff Carmina Burana.

Our 2025 concert season...

Mendelssohn - Hymn of Praise
Poulenc - Gloria
Parry - Blest Pair of Sirens

Saturday 25th January 2025 • St Swithun's Church Bridport

with professional orchestra and soloists

Orff - Carmina Burana

Saturday 17th May 2025 • St Swithun's Church Bridport

with two pianos, percussion ensemble and soloists

Rehearsals

We rehearse on Tuesday evenings, between September and May. Rehearsals are at Bridport's United Church Hall, and start at 7:30pm. New members are always welcome to come along to a rehearsal and give us a try!

About Us

The choir was founded in 1966 and has since grown to become the largest choir in West Dorset. For over 60 years we were known as The New Elizabethan Singers, but in 2023 we decided to change our name to the West Dorset Singers.

We perform two or three concerts per year, usually at St Mary's Church or St Swithun's churches in Bridport - although we occasionally go 'on tour' to other nearby venues. Our repertoire is centred around the great choral cantatas, masses and oratorios. In recent years we have also enjoyed performing music by contemporary British composers such as Paul Carr, Karl Jenkins and Matthew Coleridge.

Many of our concerts feature an orchestra, drawing on some of the finest players from the local area, and over the years we've had the privilege of working with some wonderful professional soloists.

Our musical director, Matt Kingston, joined us in 2011. Matt is well known as a composer (he writes under his professional name, Matthew Coleridge), whose choral works have featured heavily on Classic FM. Our accompanist is Nick Brown.