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Geoffrey Harding




Geoffrey Harding lived in Steventon for many years and, although originally a physicist, became well-known as a silversmith. 

He was also an accomplished and committed amateur musician. He became Steventon Choral Society’s first musical director. One of Geoffrey’s favourite choral pieces was ‘Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast’ and he was thrilled to be asked to come and conduct an extract from it in the 40th Anniversary Concert in 1999. Geoffrey died in 2011, aged 91.


Geoffrey Harding – the Steventon Choral Society’s first musical director

Jack Jarvis recalls an incident from the Choral Society’s first concert in 1959. The concert was held in the Methodist Church as the village hall hadn’t yet been completed. The choir started a piece but, according to Jack, were, “all over the place.”  Geoffrey Harding stopped the choir and asked them to start again – a brave thing to do in front of an audience but delivering a strong message that he wouldn’t accept anything other than the best possible performance

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