Belvoir Wassailers

Welcome

Please explore our diary of events, learn about who we are, what we do, and how we help raise funds for needy causes. Meet our team, our choir, and view our gallery.


Definition: Wassailer... Was"sail*er, n. One who drinks wassail; one who engages in festivity, especially in drinking; a reveler. (...and we sing !)

Macmillan Concert

This is a full concert with our special guest soloist Olivia Thornber


  • Date: 13/04/2024 07:30 PM
  • Location: Church Lane, Long Clawson, Melton Mowbray LE14 4ND, UK (Map)
  • More Info: Choir arrives 90 minutes earlier

Caroline Sharpe

Musical Director

Caroline works as a singer, singing teacher and musical director. Her association with The Belvoir Wassailers goes back to around 2011 when she was first introduced as a guest soloist and then, later, as the Director of her popular young ladies' choir, Enchanted. She is thrilled to be taking on the role of the Wassailers new Musical Director. Caroline has a gift for encouraging those who are shy of singing to find their voice and, as well as managing a busy private teaching practice, she has directed many choirs including Music in Me, Enchanted and Per Sempre. She currently leads the Caroline Sharpe Singers a mixed choir based in Loughborough, as well as several of the East Midlands Singing for Fun choirs. Caroline trained as a baroque soprano at Birmingham Conservatoire where she completed with distinction her Postgraduate Diploma in Vocal Performance. She won the Mario Lanza Opera prize in 2009, and when not singing opera performs as the vocalist with Chris Hill Jazz. However, when she performed one of her own arrangements on Radio 3 recently it was not singing, but playing the 47 bell carillon in Loughborough's War Memorial tower.

John Hollins

Accompanist

John is a retired teacher of Modern Languages and Music. He has written and arranged albums for piano with various solo instruments which have been recorded and published in the U.K. and America. He has also written many hymns, choruses and liturgical settings, and an Opera based on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's "The Little Prince". He plays the flute in the Boston Orchestra and piano/harpsichord and flute in the Fenland Consort, based near Stamford. John enjoys a wide range of music, having been a keyboard player in a Big Band and with various jazz combos.

Brian Deptford

Chairman

Our Chairman, Brian Deptford, has stepped into the role in October 2023 having been a choir member for several years.

Paul Gibbins

Events Manager

Paul is the person who will discuss your event requirements, arrange the relevant elements of the choir for the performance, and finalise the financial arrangements.

Richard Jefferies

Treasurer

Our finances are securely managed by Richard. Either he or the events manager will arrange the handling of cash and payments.

Mick Bradshaw

Librarian

Mick has the auspicious task of managing the sheet music for the choir ensuring that we stay within the copyright requirements.

Dermot Daly

Secretary

General management of the choir, covering meetings, communications, website, policy, data privacy, and performing rights management lies under the control of Dermot. He is generally the first point of contact.

Christopher Joseph

Media & Publicity

Christopher puts together our regular newsletter, manages the communications through the media and local publications.

John Morrissey

Members Representative

John will represent views of the general choir membership to the management team. This will include the well-being of choir members and an initiative in social prescribing.

ABOUT
The Belvoir Wassailers, a male voice choir based in the Vale of Belvoir, was originally formed from the Belvoir Castle Estate workforce and they now have a core membership of around 25 men.

In September 2010, the Belvoir Wassailers was reformed at the request of the Duchess. Directed by Robert-John Edwards, the Belvoir Wassailers performed at the castle's annual "Belvoir by Candlelight" celebration in December 2010. The choir is currently working on a variety of new material, including popular, folk, seasonal and commemorative music.

Directed by Caroline Sharpe, the choir now perform concerts for charity around the Vale and beyond, aided by the kind support of our sponsors and donors.
  • Waltham on the Wolds Village Hall
  • Practices: Tuesdays 7.45pm - 9.45pm

If you are interested in joining the choir, would look into booking the choir for an event, or have some other query - Please contact our Secretary initially and he will respond or put you in touch with the appropriate person.


If you would like to commence discussions about having the Choir attend an event then please complete this form and submit it.
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