Report from Clare Williams

This November, Ormskirk Music Society will be celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Today, the Society is made up of an orchestra and choir which have been meeting continuously since 1967. However, the roots of music-making in Ormskirk go back much further. The first report of a 'Musical Society' - in those days just a choir - appeared in the Ormskirk Advertiser in November 1881. In March 1884, the choir was accompanied by an orchestra in a performance of 'The Ancient Mariner' by J. F. Barnett. It is thought that this orchestra was the Ormskirk Orchestral Society.

The orchestral society stopped meeting during World War II, but was re-formed in 1945-6 and began giving concerts in the Working Men's Institute - now the car park on Moor Street. When the Institute was demolished in the 1960s, the orchestral society lost its rehearsal and concert venue and the Society was once again abandoned.

The Society as we know it today was formed in 1967, largely due to the enthusiasm of two lecturers at Edge Hill College. Unlike the town's previous music societies, it combined both orchestral players and singers. Taking on the name Ormskirk Music Society in 1997, the Society is still going strong, producing 4 or 5 choral and orchestral concerts each year. Since then it has gained many new members, a website, and a Twitter handle, @ormskirk_music.

Both the orchestra and choir include members who have played or sung for 30 or 40 years and more!

Marian Bowestead joined the choir in September 1966 and has been a member of the joint choral and orchestral society since its foundation in 1967, serving as treasurer early on.

She told QLocal: "I started off in a school choir when I was 11 and although I have never played an instrument, I have gained a lot of musical experience and knowledge through membership of two choirs over the years. I just love singing."

The Society's 50th anniversary celebration concert will be at Ormskirk School at 7.30pm on Saturday 18 November, and is sure to be a fantastic occasion with the programme including Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte overture, Beethoven's 1st Symphony and the Vivaldi Gloria. Tickets are available here: ormskirkmusicsociety.org.uk

The Society is constantly on the lookout for new singers and players to ensure that friendly, dedicated music-making will continue in Ormskirk for many years to come; players or singers are encouraged to get in touch or come along to a rehearsal at Ormskirk School, Wigan Road, Ormskirk, L39 2AT - the orchestra meets on Thursdays at 7.45pm and the choir on Fridays at 7.30pm.