Pickering Musical Society

HISTORY OF PICKERING MUSICAL SOCIETY
Pickering Musical Society (PMS) can trace its origins back to the beginning of the Great War. During the early Edwardian period Pickering saw the first initial amateur musical groups form. These groups were formed of like-minded individuals who had an interest in music; they met at each other’s homes and performed in local drawing rooms etc. The outbreak of the Great War saw the need for local groups and charities to raise funds for the war effort at home and abroad. This was no exception in Pickering and many of the smaller groups gathered together to put on larger “glee” performances in local church halls. After the war in 1919 members of this larger group decided that they should form together officially and create a musical society in the town for all ages that had an interest in music and performance.

Pickering Musical Society continued throughout the first half of the twentieth century. By the early 1970’s the society had grown and was beginning to look for new premises. The society had traditionally performed in the local War Memorial Hall but felt that a permanent home was needed. By the late 1970’s a new home was found in the old Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on Hungate. PMS purchased the derelict chapel and set about converting it into a fully operational theatre. By 1982 the conversion from chapel to theatre was completed and PMS performed their inaugural performance.

The Society presents three productions each year. Our Pantomime is in January, a musical show in May and a music from the shows production in October.

Our membership comes from a wide selection of the local area – from Whitby and Scarborough to Malton and beyond – as well as Pickering of course. We always welcome new members whether interesting in performing or other aspects of the theatre. Please leave your details with any front of House staff member and we will get back to you. Alternatively, email us at info@kirktheatre.co.uk

Interested in joining us either on stage or behind the scenes?

The annual membership fee is £35 (£25 for unwaged).
Email: info@kirktheatre.co.uk

Have you ever thought of being a Friend of the Kirk Theatre
For £25 a year you can become a friend and help support the theatre. For more details please contact our friends secretary.
Email: info@kirktheatre.co.uk

Can You Help?
We are looking for help with specific jobs within Pickering Musical Society:

1. Keyboard / piano players needed for rehearsals and shows throughout the year.
2. Tea maker – for our rehearsals during the year. No experience necessary!!
3. Back Stage and Front of House helpers – want to help off stage? Then please contact us for more details

Sponsor a Seat
Support The Kirk Theatre by Sponsoring a Seat.

The Kirk Theatre is run on a not-for-profit basis by volunteers and aims to be at the centre of community activities within the Pickering area. Sponsorship will help fund improvements to the facilities available.

Whether your sponsorship is a gift, a dedication in memory of a loved one, or a mark of support for the theatre, your seat will carry a plaque displaying your sponsorship for future audiences to see.

The cost is only £30 and consists of :
• Five years sponsorship of the seat
• An inscribed plaque on the seat

Sponsorship is really easy, just purchase your seat via our online shop here. Once your order is confirmed a member of our team will contact you with available seats and ask you for your plaque inscription (maximum 50 characters).

Terms & Conditions
Only seats not already sponsored by a donor may be sponsored.

Sponsorship shall be allocated on a first come first served basis according to availability.

Sponsorship of a seat does not affect the way that seat is normally sold to the public for performances nor does it entitle the sponsor to entry to any events.

We reserve the right to ask you to re word the dedication if it is too long.

The Society reserve the right to refuse any dedication at its sole discretion.

Once a dedication is agreed the donation becomes non refundable.

The dedication is for a period of 5 years .

We may contact you by email to publicise events at the Kirk Theatre. We will not divulge your email address to third parties.

If you are interested in any of the above please contact info@kirktheatre.co.uk