We are one of the leading non auditioned choirs in the North West of England. We have an average membership of around 60 singers, ranging from novice to very experienced, and everything in between. The choir had its origins in the Lancaster Grand Theatre, which was built in 1782. The owner and local entrepreneur, Edmund Sharpe, decided the theatre required a choir to enhance its image, so in 1836 he created the Lancaster and District Musical Society. This eventually became the Choral Society, as it is known today.
More than 185 years later, the Lancaster & District Choral Society (LDCS) is still going strong and conducted by John Perrin. Our music incorporates an eclectic mixture of classical, sacred and secular music. We perform two formal choral concerts a year, with a third summer concert that offers a lighter, less formal feel to our repertoire.
Read more about Lancaster and District Choral Society in this piece in the Lancaster Guardian from June 2025:
Lancaster choral society still going strong after almost 200 years
* A slight correction to the article is that LDCS will be performing Handel's Messiah in November 2025.
More than 185 years later, the Lancaster & District Choral Society (LDCS) is still going strong and conducted by John Perrin. Our music incorporates an eclectic mixture of classical, sacred and secular music. We perform two formal choral concerts a year, with a third summer concert that offers a lighter, less formal feel to our repertoire.
Read more about Lancaster and District Choral Society in this piece in the Lancaster Guardian from June 2025:
Lancaster choral society still going strong after almost 200 years
* A slight correction to the article is that LDCS will be performing Handel's Messiah in November 2025.
Our next concert
In the autumn term, we will begin rehearsals for Hadel's Messiah for the performance on 22nd November at Lancaster Priory. It promises to be a spectacular production with orchestra and professional soloists which sold out when performed previously. Rehearsals start Monday 1st September in St. Martin's Chapel at the University of Cumbria. See the Join Us page for details.
Follow the Lancaster and District Choral Society WhatsApp channel for news on upcoming concerts and ticket releases, events and rehearsals. (When you follow a channel, notifications are muted by default. To get alerts about new updates, you can choose to turn on notifications for a channel.)
Next rehearsal
The next rehearsal is Monday 29th September at St. Martin's Chapel, University of Cumbria, Lancaster.
Follow the Lancaster and District Choral Society WhatsApp channel for news on upcoming concerts and ticket releases, events and rehearsals. (When you follow a channel, notifications are muted by default. To get alerts about new updates, you can choose to turn on notifications for a channel.)
Next rehearsal
The next rehearsal is Monday 29th September at St. Martin's Chapel, University of Cumbria, Lancaster.
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Sing with us!
Have you ever thought... ...I would love to have a go at singing that? ...What is it like to experience the full range of emotions when singing a great piece of music with full orchestra and professional soloists alongside of you? (Spoiler: IT'S EUPHORIC!) ...I've seen the choir in concert and would like to be a part of that? Discover the joy of singing with the Lancaster and District Choral Society! |
we can - entertain you
Come and hear us sing alongside professional soloists and orchestras at wonderful venues across the Lancaster district, including:
- Lancaster University
- Lancaster Priory
- Lancaster Town Hall - Ashton Hall
- The Grand Theatre, Lancaster
- Bolton-le-Sands Community Centre
We can - help you stay fit and healthy
We provide a fun, supportive and comfortable environment in which to sing. We encourage you to join us and be part of an exciting group of people. Singing will provide lots of other benefits, including:
More and more of us seem to be taking the musical plunge. Helped by the influence of television choirmaster Gareth Malone and series such as Glee, there are now some 25,000 choirs across the UK.
So, given it makes you feel good and improves your health, why not join us?
Click here for details
- The social aspect, the chance to make new friends and meet others who have an interest in music.
- A real bonding experience. A recent study found that after just one singing class, people felt closer to each other than those taking part in other classes.
- By singing in a group we improve our musical ability and deepen our understanding of music.
- Learning something new helps boost self-esteem and confidence.
More and more of us seem to be taking the musical plunge. Helped by the influence of television choirmaster Gareth Malone and series such as Glee, there are now some 25,000 choirs across the UK.
So, given it makes you feel good and improves your health, why not join us?
Click here for details
The Lancaster & District Choral Society belong to Making Music, the National Federation of Music Societies which represents and supports amateur choirs, orchestras and music promoters of all kinds throughout the UK. With a membership of over 3,700 groups representing around 200,000 music makers across the UK. Their website is at www.makingmusic.org.uk/





