Photos: Chas Bedford
The Maidstone Singers was founded in 1998 by Jeffrey Vaughan Martin who fulfilled a long-held desire to create a small chamber choir. It is now a 23 strong a cappella choir of accomplished singers and has an established repertoire of over 300 pieces. These range from choral works dating from the 16th Century to the present day and modern close harmony arrangements of popular music and folk songs. The chamber choir is joined by invited singers for large scale works and this has enabled TMS to perform the more established choral masterpieces as well as a more intimate repertoire.
Although based in Maidstone, TMS has performed in many locations, including appearances in the Brandenburg Concert Series in London. Touring is an important element of activities and TMS has flown the flag for Maidstone throughout Europe. In 2024 the choir sang in the Czech Republic at the Festivalek Choirs Festival and in our twin town, Beauvais in France, and in 2026 we will return to Spain to sing in Cadiz and Jerez with our old friends there.
Under the leadership of their Music Director, Kathryn Ridgeway, The Maidstone Singers continues down a path of embracing new musical challenges and working with partners both in England and overseas.