WCS was founded in 1983 for parents, staff and friends of Wycliffe College, an independent school in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. 
Christopher Swain, who founded the choir, was Wycliffe’s Director of Music until his retirement in July 2008. At that stage the Choir became an independent Charity (Registration Number 1125945), although it still keeps strong connections with the College. Chris retired as our Musical Director in May 2026, and we are delighted to welcome Joshua Crunden as our New MD
We rehearse in the college preparatory school performing arts centre, and give concerts usually in the College Chapel. Concerts frequently include concertos by soloists from Wycliffe College pupils.
A number of social events are organised during the year, including concert visits, walks, dinners, and post-concert parties.
Wycliffe Choral Society is part of the South Cotswolds Big Sing Group. To find out more, go to www.sccg.info
Joshua Crunden is a freelance musician who works as a performer, accompanist, conductor and teacher. He was invited to take the appointment of Director of Music for Wycliffe Choral Society in May 2026. He is also accompanist for Gloucestershire and Worcestershire based choir, Philomusica. He also conducts and accompanies liturgical music at his parish, The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Stroud and tutors the parish's organ scholar.
Joshua enjoys regular work accompanying local choirs, vocalists and instrumentalists including the soprano Phillippa Lay, with whom he has given a number of recitals. He also gives solo piano and organ recitals in the Gloucestershire area.
He began his musical education with the piano at age 7 before taking up the violin two years later. After moving to Gloucestershire in the summer of 2000 Joshua continued learning the piano with Jenny Lindop and the violin with Cathy Hill. He later began learning the electric guitar followed by the organ. During his school years he enjoyed a wide range of music making, including performing in the Gloucestershire Youth Orchestra, playing in a rock band with classmates, being musical director of school pantomimes and organising and performing in recitals with pianist Alex Howgego.
He then studied music at the University of Birmingham, graduating with a BMus in 2012 and an MA in 2014.While at the university he studied piano with Joseph Middleton and the violin with Nic Fallowfield. As a student, Joshua performed regularly with the university orchestras and choirs. He also performed in the orchestra pit for student operatic productions and with the Gilbert and Sullivan society.
He also secured a place in the prestigious CBSO Youth Orchestra, performing at the Birmingham Symphony Hall under the baton of world famous conductors such as John Wilson. During his postgraduate studies, Joshua took up a position in the Birmingham Oratory choir and worked as organist and choirmaster at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Redditch, being responsible for 25 singers in the parish choir and working with the local schools. He returned home to the Stroud area in 2015 where he has been establishing himself as a freelance musician and continuing his piano studies with Jenny Lindop. From 2016-2022 he was organist at All Saints Anglican Church in Bisley.