Hexham Orpheus ChoirThe choir Our programme Press reviews Weddings and music hire  |
THE CHOIRWe perform three major concerts each season, plus additional smaller works around Christmas time. Hexham Orpheus Choir operates a no-audition policy which has always provided a platform for people of various musical backgrounds to come together and perform a wide variety of choral music, from Renaissance to contemporary sources. Over the years, the choir has appeared at various venues such as Hexham Abbey, the Queen Elizabeth High school and churches throughout the region. Many members also belong to other choirs in the area, with some also performing as soloists in their own right. The choir has a very active social calendar, and new members are always made very welcome.  OUR CONDUCTORGlenn Davis Choral music has been a major part of Glenn’s life since he sang in the school choir of Newcastle Royal Grammar School under the leadership of Jack Wolstenholme. After years as a choral singer Glenn was given the chance to direct a small and highly successful madrigal group, the Tynemouth Consort. When in 1979 it was decided that there should be a new mixed-voice choir in Tynemouth, Glenn was appointed conductor of the newly formed Priory Singers, and continued as their conductor until December 2007. In 2006 Glenn also took over as conductor of Tynemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Society which has provided him with new challenges in conducting for the stage. Under Glenn's leadership the Hexham Orpheus Choir has gone from strength to strength. Recent concerts have included The Chichester Psalms,Brahms's Requiem, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Beethoven's Mass in C, Faure's Requiem,and a recent a sell out performance of Handel's Messiah in Hexham Abbey. In 2006 the choir gave what is thought to be the first performance in the North of England of the Missa Aedis Christi by Howard Goodall. Periodically Glenn also organises and arranges concerts with the Orpheus Choir and other groups to raise money for various charities in the region.  OUR
ACCOMPANISTMargaret Huntington Born in Birmingham, Margaret first began studying piano whilst at the King Edward VI High School, and later continued her active interest in music by studying piano with Joan Scourse and singing with Joan Gray, whilst at the same time obtaining her BSc degree in Maths and Physics at the Royal Holloway College, University of London. After graduating, Margaret moved back to Birmingham, taking up her career in computer programming; however, with music being her great love, she immediately joined local choirs and started singing lessons with Margaret Duckworth. Her marriage to David Huntington brought about a move to the North East, and in 1974 Margaret obtained her singing FTCL with Mary Bullock, followed in 1984 by her piano teacher's LRAM. Since then, she has become a busy teacher, accompanist and director, as well as running the AB exams for the Newcastle area in her capacity as Hon. local representative for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. In January 2000 she was appointed accompanist for the Hexham Orpheus Choir, and in September of the same year became musical director of Voices in Harmony. |