Exeter Philharmonic Choir’s Lord Mayor’s concert raises over £800 for FORCE

Exeter Philharmonic Choir’s recent Lord Mayor’s Charity Concert at Exeter Cathedral has raised £839 for FORCE Cancer Charity. The concert, held on March 15th, featured the esteemed London Mozart Players and an impressive line-up of soloists, including Devon-born violin virtuoso Joel Munday.

The donation was collected through a retiring collection in support of FORCE, the Lord Mayor of Exeter’s chosen charity for the year. The funds will help FORCE continue providing free support services for people in Devon affected by cancer, including psychological, emotional, physical, and practical assistance.

Kate Few-Singh, Chief Executive of FORCE Cancer Charity, said: “We are extremely grateful to Exeter Philharmonic Choir for putting on this concert as part of the Lord Mayor’s charity fundraising initiative for the year. Events like this have a significant impact on our mission to offer free support to people in Devon living with a cancer diagnosis - support that more and more people need.”

Like many others, Kate said that the charity is experiencing growing demand for FORCE’s services: “FORCE relies almost entirely on voluntary donations to run our services. Around 14,000 people in Devon are diagnosed with cancer every year, and as numbers rise, so does the demand for the support we offer to patients and their families in Exeter, Okehampton, Tiverton, and Ottery St Mary.”

The Exeter Philharmonic Choir, established in 1846, is Devon’s oldest choir and one of the longest-established choral groups in the UK. As a registered charity, the Choir regularly raises funds for local good causes through its concerts.

Following the success of the Lord Mayor’s concert, the Choir is now preparing for the final concert of its 2024/25 season. ‘A Feast of English Choral Music’ will take place at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The programme features works by England’s most celebrated composers, including Ralph Vaughan Williams, Hubert Parry, Arthur Sullivan, and Herbert Howells.

A special highlight of the concert will be the opportunity to hear Exeter Cathedral’s iconic organ played as a solo instrument.

Tickets for ‘A Feast of English Choral Music’ are available now at: www.exeterphilharmonic.org.uk.