"The country was still at war when the choir was formed!

At a time of destruction, the spirited optimists and music lovers of Sittingbourne put community and joy above rationing, blackouts and air raids. The original 70 singers paid the yearly membership fee of five shillings on December 5th, 1944 to form SOCS". Taken from a piece written by Helen Osbourne, a member of SOCS for more than 40 years. Read more here.

 

SOCS has become established as the leading choral society in Swale.  In recent years the Society has arranged or taken part in several notable events, both local and international: a 2018 Armistice Concert, with over 200 singers, accompanied by the Kent Sinfonia;  Sir Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace, at Carnegie Hall, New York (as part of Distinguished Concerts International New York); a recording of Songs of Praise in Canterbury Cathedral for the Queen's Golden Jubilee; and the live recording of a Shelter charity single at the London Coliseum, home of the English National Opera.

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Our current membership, of more than 50 singers, is drawn from Sittingbourne and the surrounding area. We welcome members of all ages - from students to those who have retired - from all walks of life, and with varied (or no) musical experience. We take immense pride in the Society's diversity and longevity.

 

 

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