About
Faversham Choral Society is an open access choir of mixed voices of all ages. Established in 1966 by the late Fred Ash, it was an amalgamation of several small singing groups in the area. The aim is to provide a friendly atmosphere for people who enjoy singing, to get together and perform a wide variety of works from oratorio through operetta to madrigals, part songs and carols. FCS is an open-access choir and we don't hold auditions.
James Brown, our Musical Director, grew up in Peterborough and began his musical life as a trumpeter. James came to Kent to study Music at Canterbury Christ Church University, where he was Organ Scholar and later Director of the Chapel Choir. In 2013 James was appointed Director of Music at St Mary of Charity, Faversham where he oversaw all music provisions including training and directing the choir taking them on many tours to various Cathedrals. In 2017 James became the Musical Director of Faversham Choral Society. In September 2019 James took up the post of Director of Music at St John the Evangelist, Mongeham where his key role is to develop the Roman Catholic plainsong tradition. In 2025 James was appointed Musical Director of Invicta Jazz Orchestra a group based in Maidstone that performs all over Kent. In 2026 James will take up the post of Organist and Choirmaster at St Mary and St Eanswythe, Folkestone.
Ian Carmalt has been accompanying the FCS's rehearsals since 1996. He was educated at Anglia Polytechnic University, Cambridge. After developing an interest in accompanying and playing chamber music, he moved to Canterbury to study at Christ Church University for a Masters degree in this subject. Now semi-retired, he still enjoys playing regularly for Faversham Choral Society, a morning's ballet classes at the Page-Mason School, Broadstairs, and as organist at St. Nicholas' Church, Sturry, plus occasional appearances with Canterbury Musicians, and at Thanet Festival. Ian has a Soundcloud channel, which demonstrates his keen interest in a wide range of repertoire: https://soundcloud.com/ian-carmalt.