How it all began

In 1985 Ibstone Church, a tiny rural church of Saxon origins, hidden amongst trees on the edge of the village, had few in its congregation.  As part of a push to attract a greater congregation, it was suggested that some of the villagers form a choir - the first service with the choir was Carols in 1985.

Then in 1996 a separate choir was formed by churchgoers in Tetsworth and Lewknor and this constitutes the core of the present choir.   A few remaining interested people from Ibstone who wanted to reform, having been temporarily disbanded, joined the larger forces in 2002.

There is a lot of hidden talent around - people who had been choristers at school or in their parish churches.  From a small beginning the choir has grown to 28 people from a number of villages, who are itinerant as choristers.  

Over the years a number of concerts have been given, some more ambitious than others.  There is now an annual Tetsworth Summer Concert, in July, with other artists.  In the past, the choir has performed Vivaldi's "Gloria", Handel's "Messiah",  and Faure's "Requiem", with instrumentalists and local soloists, professional conducting and other artistic help.

Generally speaking, the choir sings romantic music, spirituals, 20th century music and lots of John Rutter's wonderful compositions.  Because we are a "high days and holidays" choir, we try to avoid music we find too stretching (Gregorian chant and other early music springs to mind), although members find what we tackle is quite stretching enough.

Shown left is Wheatfield Church - in a field, it has no power or water, so is only used in summer, but is a beautiful, rural and tranquil setting