Classics Galore 2022

After a year’s delay the eighth Classics Galore concert to raise funds for the Force cancer support charity was held on 12th November 2022. The committee was unsure how many people would be able to support the event in the post-Covid era with the added burden of the cost of living crisis.

Ottery St Mary Choral Society has been an integral part of each of these concerts, held every other year since 2007. It was an exceptional evening with its usual mix of popular light classical music, both choral, orchestral and brass band. We are extremely grateful to everyone who came along as a performer, helper or in the audience. The Choral Society was augmented by members of St David’s Players and a host of extra wonderful voices, as well as the stunning soloist Cheryl Enever. Our own Musical Director, Malcolm Matthews also assembled the 45-piece Classics Galore orchestra from all corners of Devon, with leader Sarah Greinig. The SW Comms Band from Lympstone completed the line-up on stage and the whole event was brought together by compère Justin Leigh.

Fortunately, many local businesses were still able to sponsor the concert this year or donate a great selection of prizes for the Grand Draw. It therefore gives us great pleasure to announce that we raised an astonishing £19,500 which will go towards supporting the vital work of the FORCE Cancer Charity. The money will help contribute towards their services which include: counselling, group sessions, complementary therapies, benefits advice, specialist physiotherapy and exercise guidance alongside other health and wellbeing support available to cancer patients and their families.

This means that since the first Classics Galore in 2007, we have raised in excess of £130,000 for FORCE Cancer Charity to date!