On the 12th September 1951, Derrick Cantrell addressed a meeting of singers in the Fellowship Hall, Craigs, Stirling. He enthusiastically confirmed that “ A number of singers had been tested and there was a potential membership of over eighty.” A draft Constitution was adopted and the first Chairman was appointed - Col. John Logan.
And so the ‘Choral Union’ was formed with its first concert being a performance of ‘Messiah’ on the 26th December 1951, with Derrick Cantrell conducting an orchestra of 18 players from Glasgow and a choir of ‘100 voices’. Soloists were Joan Packer, Ruth Morrison, Duncan Robertson and Frederic Westcott.
By 1954 under the baton of Roy Lennox, the choir had become established in the life of Stirling and has remained so over the years, conducted by Bramwell Cook, Henry Havergal, Stuart Anderson, George Farmer, Richard Halliday, once again George Farmer, Richard Galloway, and currently, Eric Dunlea. A policy of engaging young soloists has been encouraged including Patricia McMahon, Kathleen Livingstone, Neil Mackie and Margaret Marshall all of whom are enjoying successful careers in the music world. The welcome close liaison with professional orchestral players in Central Scotland has always ensured a first class orchestra for our Spring Concerts.
In the year 2002, after celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Stirling and District Choral Union with a performance of the Scottish Premiere of ‘Christus’ by Franz Liszt, jointly with Falkirk Festival Chorus, it was decided, in keeping with the new city status of Stirling, we should also modernise and become Stirling City Choir.