About Us

Francesca Massey joined us as Music Director in January 2024. 

Francesca is an organist, choral conductor and organ teacher, having worked as a cathedral musician for 15 years. Born in Birmingham in 1982, Francesca was educated at Cambridge University and the Royal Northern College of Music, holding Organ Scholarships at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge and Manchester Cathedral. She later became Assistant Organist at Great St Mary’s Church, Cambridge, Assistant Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral, Sub-Organist at Durham Cathedral and Director of Music at Rochester Cathedral.

Francesca performs regularly as a recitalist throughout the UK and abroad, and works as a liturgical organist/conductor. She has four critically-acclaimed solo recordings to her name and is described by Gramophone Magazine as a ‘hugely gifted accompanist.’ 

Frances joined us a piano accompanist in 2021.

Frances is a passionate songwriter, creative dance pianist and music educator. She is a brilliant accompanist and singer working with choirs and musical theatre groups with a piano diploma (DipABRSM) and a music degree from the University of Southampton specialising in composition.

Today she accompanies the Compass Choir, Wealden Consort and Cranbrook Choral Society. 

Recently she was shortlisted for the Platinum Jubilee song competition and released the album “October December” in Sept 2023 that is now streaming. She was also commissioned to write for the theatre company ‘We are Hera’. She has also created piano music for educational workshops at the Royal Opera House.

Malcolm Riley recently retired from a 38-year career teaching music, mostly in Kent schools. He has also been active as an organist, pianist and conductor, working with several county ensembles, including, Cranbrook Choral Society, Gravesham Choral Society, Maidstone Symphony Orchestra (for whom he composed a centenary celebratory overture Fairmeadow in 2010), Kent Chamber Choir and Kent Sinfonia. 

Malcolm is now working again with Cranbrook Choral Society in the role of Orchestra Fixer. While Music Director he composed 'De Temporibus Canticum' 'Of the Seasons We Sing' which was commissioned by the Society to celebrate the Millennium and was first performed in December 2000. He has also wriutten two books concerning the organist and composer Percy Whitlock.

Cranbrook Sinfonia is a group of mainly local professionals, including ex-London orchestral players and instrumental teachers. They convene on an occasional basis under the leadership of Ingrid Sellschop and, in particular, to provide orchestral support for the Cranbrook Choral Society.

The Cranbrook Town Band is a regular collaborator at our Christmas concerts. It comprises about 30 regular brass players who live in Cranbrook and the surrounding areas.

The history of the Town Band goes back to the 1920s.

Information about Michael Bascom

We are delighted that Stephen Langridge, Artistic Director of Glynbourne Opera House is our president since February 2023.

Stephen follows on from his father, the renowned tenor Philip Langridge who was our former president for 12 years.

Stephen is a practising stage director and, amongst others, has directed operas for Glyndebourne, ROH Covent Garden and the Salzburg Festival. From 2013-2019, he was Artistic Director for the Gothenburg Opera in Sweden.

Occasional choral concerts have been staged in Cranbrook since Victorian times, but these were put on a more regular footing in the 1950s by Mrs Russell-Scott, wife of the headmaster at Cranbrook School and comprised mainly of ladies from the WI.

In 1969 the group was formed into the present society with over 70 members under the baton of Dr Julian Tower. It presented many of the greatest works in the choral repertoire, mainly Oratorios, Masses and Requiems and attracted soloists who have gone on to the very top of their profession.

In 1987, the Director of Music at Cranbrook School, Malcolm Riley, came to the podium. Under his leadership the choir grew in number and in the ambitious works undertaken. 

In 2012, leadership of the choir was handed to Jeffrey Gray. The choir continued to flourish and grow in confidence over the next 12 years and through the difficult times of Covid. Jeffrey moved on in December 2023. 

Leading soloists continue to grace our performances, none of them more prominent than our former President, Philip Langridge, who gave us inspirational support. We are thrilled that his son Stephen is now our president.