The Wealden Consort performing at Rochester Cathedral in 2019
The Wealden Consort was formed in 1979 with a nucleus of singers from the St Laurence Church choir in Hawkhurst. From 1980 to 2003 the Hawkhurst Singers (as it was originally called) was led by Maisie Hammond, a graduate of the Royal College of Music, Head of Music at a local girls' preparatory school, and a professional violinist. Since 2003, the choir has been under the direction of Cornelis Taekema.
In its formative years the choir, then a group of around eight singers, performed mostly motets and madrigals. With the passing years the size of the choir increased, and the name was changed to The Wealden Consort to more accurately reflect the Weald of Kent from which its members are now drawn. As our choir numbers have grown so has our repertoire, adding spirituals, folk songs, songs from the shows and other modern pieces as well as humorous musical works. At the same time we remain sensitive to and further explore the rich range of church music.
We usually perform five or six concerts each year in Kent and East Sussex. Over the years, we have also made several tours to other parts of the country, as well as on the Continent.
