Before the second world war, the choral society's founder, Francis Foote, was often frustrated by the lack of a suitable venue for the Choral Society's concerts. Foote was a strong supporter of the Assembly Hall project which was eventually opened in 1939. However, the society's first concert in the new hall was not held until 1942.

By 1942, the Choir had already built up a substantial reputation with its concerts in the now demolished original "Great Hall" (on Mount Pleasant Road), but with war disrupting people's lives (in particular the men), the choir had to resort to enlisting recruits from nearby army camps to augment the tenors and basses. However, it managed to put on a performance of Handel's Messiah in the Assembly Hall on 26th October 1942 with a chorus of 100 voices. The soloists were Florence Astral (soprano), Astra Desmond (alto), Jan van der Gucht (tenor) and Robert Easton (bass), all well known at that time. There was also a fully professional orchestra.

This first RTWCS concert in the Assembly Hall was almost disrupted by a sudden influx of soldiers, and police had to be summoned to deal with the situation as there was not room for them all. It was reported that in all some 500 people had to be turned away, so popular was the event.

Since then RTWCS has put on about 175 events in the Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall Theatre - normally 2 major formal concerts per year on Sunday afternoons.

(Source -"90 plus" - a brief history of Royal Tunbridge Wells Choral Society by Mary Standen)

 

More recently, there have been reports that the current site which incorporates the Assembly Hall is to be redeveloped. RTWCS and others have made representations to the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council expressing concern at the effect this could have on music in Tunbridge Wells.