Meet Our Committee members here.
All our committee members are volunteers who work for the good of the society in a variety of ways. Every role is important and without them there could be no society!
Chair – Heather Booth
“I joined the choir in 2018 when my husband became the Caretaker of St Margaret’s Church where we rehearse and I noticed the choir seemed friendly and welcoming. I have previously been booking secretary and I’m now Chair and it is a privilege to do this role.”
Vice Chair – Anne Cherry
“Anne Cherry has sung in choirs since her early teens, although she had a long break in the 1990s due to work – on looking for another choir, Horsforth Choral Society seemed a good, community based option. Her first concert was Rutter’s Requiem (many years ago), in the early 2000’s, and her favourite to date has been Mendelssohn’s Elijah. She is currently Vice Chair of the Society and a Trustee.”
Secretary – Karen Croft
“I joined the choir in 2016. I had previously been in a community choir and wanted to try singing classical choral music. My favourite piece so far is Faure’s Requiem.”
Treasurer – Maggie Pearce
“I joined the choir in 2016 having sung with the College of Music Choral Society for many years. Also a member of Headingley voices”
Concert and Venue Secretary – Graham Fergusson
“I’m Graham Fergusson. I joined HCS over thirty years ago and have since enjoyed the wide range of music in our repertoire. On the Committee I act as Booking and Concert Manager. We’re a friendly and welcoming group of singers.”
Librarians – Jo Sutton and Sue Sowden
Jo Sutton
“I joined the choir over ten years ago. I do not live in Horsforth, but the choir is a community for anyone who likes to participate in choral singing. For a number of years I have worked with another member as Librarian, sourcing and distributing the pieces which our Musical Director chooses”
Refreshments – Cath Lawes
“I’m Cath and I sing with the sopranos . When I retired from teaching in 2017 my ‘to do ‘ list included getting a dog and joining a choir . Two very dear colleagues ( Maggie and Bernie) recommended HCS and I joined in 2018 . When the choir needed someone to take over responsibility for refreshments and catering I decided it was time to join the committee. I’ve really appreciated all the help and generosity from choir members. I’m loving the challenges involved in singing with HCS”
Making Music Secretary – Gunhild Wilcock
“I joined the choir 3 months before lock down, during which I very much benefited from the zoom rehearsals. I was co-opted into the committee last year and see my role as a general supporter of all the committee and all the choir members. I am always happy to take on any jobs within my capabilities.
I am most deeply drawn to sacred and early music, but have an open mind and am happy to sing and appreciate any type of music. After almost 6 decades of singing with the altos I moved to the tenor section last year. It suits my voice and I am slowly gaining confidence learning tenor parts.”
Without Portfolio – Jill Ramsden and Clare Abbott
Jill Ramsden
I’m Jill Ramsden, a relative newcomer to Horsforth, having moved to Leeds in 2019 as part of my retirement plan. I’m privileged to have been invited to be the organist at St James, Woodside and to have joined HCS. Being in a choir was for decades at the top of my retirement list, having experienced the thrills of large-scale choral singing as a student at Huddersfield in the ‘80s. I’m delighted to have found such a warm welcome at HSC since joining in 2023 – and within walking distance of home! I’ve joined the committee in the hope that I can help out with admin, promotion and development ideas for the future.
We would love you to join our committee. Our current Committee Vacancies can be found here. If there is a vacancy you’re interested in then please email the Chair for a chat and further details.