Wimborne Music Society

(Please check the forthcoming events for performances in the Minster)

Wimborne Music Society is a non-profit making Society which sponsors and promotes musical events in Wimborne and further afield. Its programmes in Wimborne include Concerts for Choir and Orchestra, Organ Recitals and a monthly "Sundays After Evensong" series of short Recitals which are assisted by a glass of wine.

The Artistic director of Wimborne Music Society, is Christopher Dowie, formerly Organist and Master of Choristers at Wimborne Minster. Christopher is accompanist and Deputy Chorus Master of Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, and has played the organ and piano with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in many prestigious venues. 

Wimborne Choral Society is an independent Society with its own funding and organisation but it works in friendly alliance with Wimborne Music Society. It was formed in January 1977 by Christopher Dowie who was Minster Organist and Master of the Choristers at the time. The Choir has about 120 members and there are no auditions for entry, although there is a waiting list for Sopranos and Altos.

The concerts usually take place three times a year, two of them accompanied by Wimborne Minster Chamber Orchestra. They are normally in the Minster, though in 1999 the Society gave a Concert in Dorchester with the Dorset County Orchestra and in 1998 and 2000 they joined forces with the Dorset Guild of Singers and Wessex Pro Musica in the Wessex Hall, Poole, in performances of J.S.Bach's "St.Matthew Passion and Elgar's "Dream of Gerontius".

The Wessex Singers, founded by Christopher Dowie in about 1979 under its original title, "The Minster Occasional Singers" is promoted by Wimborne Music Society and is a Chamber Choir of about 40 Singers. They usually give three main Concerts a year, sometimes with Wimborne Minster Chamber Orchestra, as well as singing the occasional Minster Service in the absence of the Minster Choir. In April 2000 they formed the semi-chorus in the Dorset Guild of Singers performance of Elgar's "Dream of Gerontius" in the Wessex Hall, Poole.

Entry is by audition and there are vacancies in all parts. We rehearse on Monday evenings, usually in Wimborne Minster. If you wish to know more about the Wessex singers, or would like to arrange an audition please make contact with Musical Director, Christopher Dowie at 01202 882083 (Phone and Fax) / 07902 413 667 (Mobile) / or by e-mail christopher@joyofmusic.co.uk

Wimborne Minster Singers was a natural development from the twice-yearly Wimborne Music Society Choral Workshops that Christopher Dowie had been organising for a number of years. The Workshops still take place but are now often followed a few weeks later by a Concert in the Minster or by a foreign trip.

Wimborne Minster Singers gave Concerts in the Czech Republic in 1995 and in 1999, together with Wimborne Minster Chamber Orchestra they gave a performance of Bach's "Mass in B minor" in the Parish Church of Wimborne's French Twin Town, Valognes, in Normandy. In December 2000 they gave a Concert with Bournemouth Symphonic Brass which raised £1700 for "Save the Children".

In May 2001 they gave Concerts with Wimborne Minster Brass Ensemble in the Minster and in Wimborne's German Twin Town, Ochsenfurt, in Bavaria.

For further information please make contact with Musical Director, Christopher Dowie at 01202 882083 (Phone and Fax)/07902 413 667(Mobile)/or by e-mail at christopher@joyofmusic.co.uk

Wimborne Minster Chamber Orchestra is a group of amateur and semi-professional players who regularly play for Concerts with Christopher Dowie in Wimborne Minster. We have a full list of players, but I am always interested to hear of players who have moved to the area who would be prepared to have their names on a reserve list.

Please contact Christopher Dowie for further information.at 01202 882083 (Phone and Fax)/07902 413 667(Mobile)/or by e-mail at christopher@joyofmusic.co.uk