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.
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.
Chairman
Our Chairman, Brian Deptford, has stepped into the role in October 2023 having been a choir member for several years.
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.
Treasurer
Our finances are securely managed by Richard. Either he or the events manager will arrange the handling of cash and payments.
Librarian
Mick has the auspicious task of managing the sheet music for the choir ensuring that we stay within the copyright requirements.
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.
Media & Publicity
Christopher puts together our regular newsletter, manages the communications through the media and local publications.
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.
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.