About The Capricorn Singers
The Capricorn Singers 2015
The choir is a female voice choir and made up of three separate voice parts: First Soprano (higher voices), Second Soprano (Mezzo Soprano - mid voice) and Alto (lower voices).
Believe it or not, not all members are music readers nor have been professionally trained, however they are part of the choir due to the fact they can sing, hold a tune and show enthusiasm and dedication to learn music and perform concerts throughout the year.
The choir was formed and started by Ray Buckley in January 1984 with only a handful of singers.
Believe it or not, not all members are music readers nor have been professionally trained, however they are part of the choir due to the fact they can sing, hold a tune and show enthusiasm and dedication to learn music and perform concerts throughout the year.
The choir was formed and started by Ray Buckley in January 1984 with only a handful of singers.
Musical Director - Chrissie Mason
2015 saw a change to The Capricorn Singers with the appointment of Chrissie Mason as their new Musical Director. Chrissie has been a member of The Capricorn Singers since the start of 2011 and very soon after became a choir officer by adopting the role of Web and IT Administrator and subsequently Second Soprano Section Leader.
Chrissie is very musical having previously played a number of instruments including the trumpet and the clarinet. However, she's now settled on improving her piano playing and has been known to accompany the choir on her trusty decant or treble recorders.
Chrissie is fast gaining an excellent reputation as a choral director, arranger and conductor and since taking on the Musical Director role of The Capricorn Singers she has also been asked to conduct at performances and rehearsals for Blackpool Male Voice Choir, Carleton Community Chorus and St Annes Community Choir.
Under Chrissie's leadership the choir is more in demand than ever and attracting many accolades. In 2017 they achieved first place in the Ladies Choir class of the Skipton Music Festival. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, the choir were also successful in achieving runner-up in the Senior Choirs category of the Fleetwood Music and Arts Festival.
Chrissie is very musical having previously played a number of instruments including the trumpet and the clarinet. However, she's now settled on improving her piano playing and has been known to accompany the choir on her trusty decant or treble recorders.
Chrissie is fast gaining an excellent reputation as a choral director, arranger and conductor and since taking on the Musical Director role of The Capricorn Singers she has also been asked to conduct at performances and rehearsals for Blackpool Male Voice Choir, Carleton Community Chorus and St Annes Community Choir.
Under Chrissie's leadership the choir is more in demand than ever and attracting many accolades. In 2017 they achieved first place in the Ladies Choir class of the Skipton Music Festival. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, the choir were also successful in achieving runner-up in the Senior Choirs category of the Fleetwood Music and Arts Festival.
Accompanist - Ian Whalley
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Ian is originally from Darwen. He studied Latin and French at Cambridge, and did teacher training in Aberystwyth. Disillusioned after six years teaching in the UK, he taught Latin for three years at Kamuzu Academy in Malawi. During this time he obtained a diploma for piano performance. After another year in England when he worked as a security officer and played Father Christmas for a month in a toy shop, he went out to Kenya. He taught Latin and French for nine years in two preparatory schools in Nairobi, and also taught piano at the Kenya Conservatoire.
In 2000 Ian rather reluctantly returned to England. Since then, he has taught piano and played for several local choirs and for ballet exams. |
Committee
The choir is managed by a committee made up from members and nominated at the AGM. The committee roles and officers are:
- Chairperson - Norma Woodward
- Musical Director - Chrissie Mason
- Secretary - Jan Risely
- Treasurer - Sue Ansell
- Events & Bookings Co-ordinator - Janet Heald
- Assistant Treasurer - Dawn Yeoman
