1970s
The Choir evolved from a course in Clarinet Playing taught by Christopher Hooker at the Kingston Adult Education Centre in 1972, and was formed in September 1973. Its first concert was given on 15th May 1976 at the Church of St John the Divine, New Malden, having changed its name the previous year from the Kingston Adult Education Centre Clarinet Choir to the Thameside Clarinet Choir. In 1975 and subsequent years the Choir successfully entered several classes in the Richmond upon Thames Music Festival.

The following year the Choir held the first of many residential playing weekends at Little Benslow Hills, the home of the Rural Music Schools Association at Hitchin, now the Benslow Music Trust. These continued on a regular basis for several years, occasionally running jointly with the Goldsmith's College Clarinet Choir directed by Liz Lock. It is interesting to note that there are at least three current members whose names appear on some of the programmes for those weekends.

1980s
Following a major change in work commitments in 1980, Christopher left the Choir which continued as an evening class for one more year, directed by Walter Wurzburger

During this year rehearsals began to be held at the home of Jo Ward, one of the members, and were conducted by Gill Porter, the leader of the Choir. These players were known as the 'Thursday Group'

In 1983, Gill moved to Devon, and her place was taken by Peter Morris. In 1985, Peter introduced the Playing Days, a tradition which continues to the present time.

Throughout the 80's and 90's, Martin and Jenny Goodman produced countless arrangements for us. We are also indebted to Michael Bryant for providing us with so many interesting compositions from all over the world.

1990s
Jo moved house and the group now began to meet at Ann Varah's house in Surbiton.

Tragically, Ann Varah died in 1997, but her husband, David, wished the group to continue playing there, which it did up until it moved to to the Malden Centre in September 1999

In 1991 the choir was joined by John Ainsworth and when, later that year, Martin and Jenny Goodman needed time to cope with Martin's failing eyesight, John took over the administration of the choir, and the playdays, and continued to do this until 1999. In 1997 the playday venue at Southlands College, Wimbledon, was re-developed and John and Peter Morris negotiated the change to the current venue of Gateway Studios in Kingston University. In 1999 the administration of the choir was taken over by Sophie McLoughlin, Liz Pope and Barbara Haynes.

In December 1998, after a long and rewarding time with the Choir, Peter Morris left.

Now began the Choir's relationship with Kneller Hall as the next three conductors were all student bandmasters. The first, Simon Haw, became conductor in January 1999.

2000s
The next Kneller Hall musician to conduct the Choir was Stewart (Doc) Halliday who took over in January 2000 until, like Simon, a new posting forced his retirement. Greg Machin, another Kneller colleague succeeded him and remained until December 2002.

Christopher Hooker, who had rejoined the choir as a player two years previously, was then invited to conduct, and took up the appointment in January 2003. Over the next four years he produced many new arrangements for the Choir.

In September 2003 the Choir moved its rehearsal venue from the Malden Centre to St John's Church in Kingston Road, New Malden. In 2006, it started giving public concerts and has performed in St. James's Church, Hampton Hill, and the YMCA Hawker Centre in Ham.

Chris Hooker retired from the Choir in December 2007 to concentrate more on playing and performing and has been succeeded by Martin Hinckley, who joined the choir as a player in 2005. Read more about Martin on the Musical Director page.