Ledbury Focus September 2019 Ledbury Focus September 2019 v2 | Page 51

Keynote Change for
Ledbury Choral Society
L
edbury Choral Society’s
recent successful concert,
in partnership with The Poetry
Festival, marked a fitting and
fond farewell to a wonderfully
diverse and ambitious
fourteen-year era of music
making with musical director
Malcolm Macleod.
However the society is delighted
to have appointed Ledbury
resident Simon Harper as its new
musical director and choir
master. Members are looking
forward to working under his
baton when the new term starts
in September this year. Simon
was an instant success with the
choir when, at his audition, he
displayed competence,
confidence, patience and
enthusiasm - all qualities required
to motivate and guide a choir in
the joys of achieving a standard
of singing worthy of the great
composers and works performed
by the choir.
Ledbury Focus

Simon is a freelance singer and
conductor who received his early
musical education in
Southampton, where he was a
chorister in the choir of St.
Michael and All Angels, Bassett,
and a violinist in the
Southampton Youth Orchestra.
He read Music at the University
of York where he graduated with
First Class Honours in 2013.
Whilst in York Simon sang with
the choir of York Minster,
Yorkshire Bach Choir and the
University Chamber Choir. He
also took lead roles in York Opera
productions including Mozart’s
The Magic Flute and Weber’s
Der Freischutz. Simon founded
and directed the chamber choir
Incantiamo, conducted the
University Concert Orchestra
and was the Musical Director for
the University Opera Society.
Currently a Tenor Lay Clerk in
Hereford Cathedral Choir, Simon
is keen to progress his career as a
choir and musical director. He
has studied choral conducting
with Paul Spicer, and as a
member of the prestigious
Genesis Sixteen scheme, has
worked with The Sixteen and
directors Harry Christophers and
Eamonn Dougan.
Simon’s new position with
Ledbury Choral Society will be
in addition to his existing
directorship of Hereford
Chamber Choir, and from
September, another new
appointment as musical director
of Cotswold-based Cantores
Chamber Choir. He also gives
vocal and instrumental tuition
privately.
Simon says, “I am delighted to
have been offered the position of
musical director of Ledbury
Choral Society, and am excited
about working with the choir,
building on previous experience
and repertoire, and taking the
choir forward in an ambitious
and courageous way.”
The next concert will be a
performance of Rossini’s Petite
Messe Solennelle which will take
place on the evening of Saturday
26th October in St Michael and
All Angels Church, Ledbury,
followed by a Christmas concert
on Saturday 14th December.
The start of the new term will be
on Thursday September 5th at
7.30pm at The Baptist Church.
There is no audition, and all
singers who are enthusiastic and
willing to learn are welcome. For
more information contact the
secretary on 01531 805080
Why not come along and give it
a try? Singing together can give
great joy and satisfaction.
51