Ipswich Choral Society

The Committee is made-up of the following posts:

Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Conductor/Musical Director, Assistant Conductor, Voice Representative from each section, Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass, Publicity Officer, Librarian, Social Secretary, Concert Manager, Recruitment Officer, Ipswich Arts Association Representative.

Chairman - Maureen Fell

I have taken part in memorable musical performances and enjoyed several wonderful choir trips since I joined the society in 1998. ICS is friendly and welcoming and strikes a good balance between a relaxed and happy atmosphere, and the rigour (and mutual support) needed to achieve a strong, entertaining and fulfilling performance.
Professionally I work in the arts, developing and managing arts programmes in schools, currently with Royal Opera House Creative Partnerships and I hope these skills will be useful in my role as chairman.
I am fortunate to have an active and multi talented committee and plan to continue the development of the choir's range and breadth of musical experiences both here and abroad, to contribute to the Society's on-going success.

Vice Chairman - Michael Robertson

I help to run the society. In my role, I have been involved in all sorts of things from designing posters, to fund-raising, to setting up staging, organising concerts and recording some of them. I have been in the Choral Society for 28 years, and have enjoyed the challenge and variety of the music that we sing. I have sometimes thought when we have just started rehearsing a new piece, "I don't like this much", but by the time we are ready to perform it, I always find that I really enjoy the piece. Singing is good exercise and after a hard day's work, it is a good way to unwind.

Correspondence Secretary - Sheila Stannard

Treasurer - Linda Scott

I keep control of the finances and the membership list.

Recruitment Officer - Mary Beth Skellorn

I have sung with the choir for 5 years and I also help with the Christmas concert.

Secretary - Ruth Leach

I have been a member of the choir since 2001 joining after moving into the Ipswich area. I have previously served on the Committee as the Alto rep and have recently taken on the role of Secretary. The choir is a great way to make friends with other music lovers and we have various social events during the year and trips abroad from time to time. For me, the satisfaction of working on pieces from the initial rehearsals through to the performance when all the hard work comes together gives a real sense of achievement.

Soprano Voice Representative - Wendy Jefferson

I rejoined the society in 2010 after a long break due to my absence from Ipswich on work commitments in London. When I originally joined John Cooper was the musical director and under his direction sang many memorable concerts in the Corn Exchange and Bury St Edmunds Cathedral. I remember when our present Conductor first made his appearance! I find the choir very friendly and I look forward to welcoming new members to the Soprano Section.

Alto Voice Representative - Rachel Travers

Ever since primary school choir I've enjoyed singing in groups - at least a dozen over the years, from massive university choirs to twelve-voice madrigal groups. But ICS is the friendliest of them all and has a wide repertoire which always keeps me interested, as well as some memorable foreign tours. Now that I've retired from teaching modern languages it's time to do my bit for the Amazing Altos.

Tenor Voice Representative - Paul Armstrong

Having been in the choir for a few years, it was time to support the choir more actively and so I became the Tenor Rep in 2009. Whilst the Tenor section is the smallest in number, (the quality not requiring the quantity of other sections), we have a tradition of causing the most trouble and I see my role as upholding such fine traditions and the occasional bit of organisational work for the section and the wider choir.

Bass Voice Representative - Peter Brunning

I Joined ICS in September 2003 - I enjoy singing the various types music, the touring abroad plus the social side of meeting people from all walks of life. I been the representative for the Basses since 2007 and as such, represent the basses on the main committee. As a voice representative I am on the music sub-committee helping to select items for forthcoming concerts

Publicity Officer - Fenella Andrews

On moving to Ipswich, I decided to return back to singing and joined Ipswich Choral Society in January 2008 (having previously sung when I was (much!) younger whilst at Leeds University and with Preston Cecilian Choral Society). I love singing as part of a large choir and being a member of ICS has meant I've been able to make new friends in Ipswich as well. Initially helping out as part the ICS Publicity team, I became Publicity officer at the May 2010 AGM. There is a lot to organise with the general ICS publicity and concert promotions during the year. Fortunately, there is a fantastic team of choir members to help out to ensure everything gets done on time.

Librarian - Christine Pearce

I joined the Ipswich Choral Society in 1998. Never having sung in a large choir before I was really nervous to begin with, but the choir members made me welcome and were helpful and patient with me while I was learning 'the ropes'. What do I get from the choir experience? Well, friendship certainly, and the sheer joy of being part of a big sound. I'm learning a great deal about music and have thoroughly enjoyed our concerts and singing trips abroad.

Concert Manager - Martin Howe

In spite of the fact that I can't sing a single note, my involvement with the choir began in 2002 when my wife Sarah joined. I became more involved in the summer of 2003, as my good friend the late Martin Nightingale (then Chairman of the Society) was in a fix. He needed a new Ticket Secretary, and nobody was coming forward - so he persuaded me to take it on. About a year later, Martin needed a new Concert Manager - and you can guess what happened next. I've had fun organising the choir in all manner of venues, including Instanbul and Ephesus. Although I took a break during the 2009/10 season, when the choir needed a new Concert Manager for 2010/11, somehow I found I'd volunteered - again!

Social Secretary - June Catling

My association with the choir began in September 1984 when my late husband joined the choir and was 'roped in' to help with the Christmas Coffee morning. A year later the responsibility was handed over to me and suffice to say I have been here ever since, and I still don't actually sing!!!!
Please see the Support Us pages with details of the fund raising activities undertaken.

Ipswich Arts Association Representative.- Peter Brunning

The Ipswich Arts Association supports the work of arts organisations, individual performers and issues in the Ipswich area. My role is to attend IAA meetings, keep aware of local events and issues and to feed back to the committee any relevant information which may be of help or interest to the Ipswich Choral Society.