Who are we?
A village choir of between 40 and 50 members with the tradition of singing a wide variety of music at local events and raising money for charity. Our musical director is Pat Willmot.
Throughout the year we prepare for a series of concerts.
At Easter the programme includes sacred works performed in local churches.
In June and July we perform light entertainment pieces suitable for Summer Concerts and Festivals.Our annual Christmas Concert takes place at St Thomas's Church Brampton. This is our major fund-raising event for a charity with local connections.
Where have we come from?
Over Sixty Years of Song. The choir was formed in 1941 when more than 30 people responded to an advertisement in the local newspaper for anyone interested in singing. Quickly becoming an integral part of village life, the choir performed carols at Christmas and sacred music for Easter.
On Sunday evenings in the summer there were open-air concerts with entertainment and songs from the shows. Money raised was donated to worthy causes. The tradition of singing a wide variety of music at local events and raising money for charity was established then, and has continued to the present day. During the last five years we have raised more than 5,000 pounds for local charities.
We happily invite enquiries for us to perform concerts in support of local causes and special events. we would be pleased to hear from you. contact us at ourchoir@uwclub.net.
Come and join us... We are always pleased to hear from singers who might like to join us. In particular we would welcome interest from gentlemen to swell the ranks of our bass and tenor lines. Can we help you? contact us.
Pat Willmot-Musical Director
A versatile and talented musician, Pat joined the choir as a soprano voice.
In 2003 she was invited to take over as Musical Director.
With 30 years experience teaching music in schools she has trained and conducted choirs of young people and adults, as well as undertaking solo singing engagements and arranging countless pieces for concerts and reviews.She says her job is to enable us to perform a varied repertoire of music - from oratorio to songs from the shows - to the best of our ability.
She does this by encouraging us to work hard, without diminishing the sense of fun and friendship which we enjoy and which has been the hallmark of Holymoorside Choral Society for over 60 years.
Katy Strudwick-Accompanist
Katy has been playing the piano since the age of 6; She took up the flute at the age of 8 and was lucky to be in very musical schools both for her primary and secondary education so was always involved in concerts, productions and musicals!
Katy studied Music at Royal Holloway before going to Leeds to do her PGCE; She worked in secondary schools as a music teacher for 6 years before becoming a peripatetic flute and piano teacher and finally having time to play again! She also plays the flute in the Chesterfield Symphony Orchestra.
She has worked a lot as an accompanist at school, with soloists, bands and choirs, in all sorts of different musical styles – from Baroque to Jazz! Katy says,"I have always loved accompanying people and really enjoy helping out in rehearsals with HCS – Pat is great to work with and I see my job as supporting her when we’re note bashing and rehearsing, but also in supporting the whole choir when we are performing. I’m really enjoying working with HCS; they are a lovely group of people who sing with enthusiasm and enjoyment."