Farrants at Fifty
The Farrant Singers Celebrate their 50th Anniversary

The Farrant Singers celebrated its golden anniversary in 2008 with a series of concerts and special events.   One of the highlights was the premiere performance of The Farrant Singers Collection on 2nd June, as part of the Salisbury International Arts Festival.  The choir performed specially commissioned pieces by composers connected with the choir, including the choir’s founder, Richard Lloyd. David Halls, Howard Moody and Barry Ferguson, all well known to Salisbury audiences, have contributed, as well as Phil Lawson (now a member of The King's Singers), Richard Shephard, and Sam Hanson (writing in memory of the late Alan Harwood).

Colin Howard, Farrant conductor, left the choir at the end of this special year, after almost fourteen years; it is a fitting finale for him, as it was his idea to commission The Farrant Singers Collection, both as a celebratory record of the choir’s musical accomplishments and to provide some enduring new repertoire for the Singers and other choirs.  A CD of the Collection, along with other favourites from Farrant repertoire, has been recorded and is now available. The choir is extremely grateful to its generous patrons, whose financial support has facilitated this project.

The main celebrations took place during a festival weekend on 18th/19th October 2008, with a performance of Bach’s B Minor Mass in Salisbury Cathedral and a celebration lunch on Sunday, when the choir also sang Eucharist and Evensong. The weekend finished with a short recital of The Farrant Singers Collection and tea.   A souvenir programme available on request includes a comprehensive history of the choir.