In recent years interest in Armstrong Gibbs and his music has seen a welcome resurgence. None could be more pleased than those who live in here in Danbury, where Gibbs spent much of his life and where he is buried. Many people still have personal memories of him and the contribution he made to society both locally and nationally. The Lingwood Consort, a chamber choir based in Danbury, has performed many of his choral works including his cantata ‘The Turning Year’. In the Parish Church a slate plaque was installed on the North wall of the Chancel and unveiled during Choral Evensong in April 2000. At this service Gibbs’ Evening Canticles were sung.

The same weekend, as part of the millennium celebrations and to mark the fortieth anniversary of the composer’s death, the Choral Symphony ‘Odysseus’ was performed in Chelmsford Cathedral. Choirs taking part were the Chelmsford Singers, the Lingwood Consort and the Camerata Singers, from Great Baddow, where Gibbs was born.

The choral music of Gibbs and his contemporaries has also been promoted elsewhere, for example, by the Broadheath Singers in Eton. On a wider scale, performances of Gibbs’ music for strings have been led by the Guildhall Strings and the London Piano Trio. Increasingly CDs of his music are becoming available. It is hoped that the biography being written by Angela Aries will be published next year.

We have recently set up an Armstrong Gibbs Society and we would like to know whether you are interested in this project. The main objectives are to disseminate information about Gibbs and his music, and to encourage and advertise performances of his works.

In the first instance we hope to achieve this through the web site and with an occasional newsletter. In the longer term a trust might be established to hold some of the archives and to keep track of those held by other organisations.

We hope that you will want to support our endeavours and join the society.

We would also appreciate your comments so feel free to drop us an e-mail.

Application Form

Direct Debit Form

Forthcoming AGM

President: Ann Rust

Chairman: Christopher Kingsley
Chapel House,
97 Main Road,
Danbury,
CHELMSFORD CM3 4DL

Secretary: Angela Aries
16, Runsell Close,
Danbury,
CHELMSFORD CM3 4PQ
angela.aries@btinternet.com