The Guilsfield Singers

President: Christopher Booth-Jones

Musical Director: Gerry Howe

Rehearsal Accompanist: Pam Yapp

The Guilsfield Singers is a mixed choir of about fifty-five singers, drawing on musical talent from the Welshpool, Newtown and Oswestry area of Mid-Wales.  Their repertoire includes music from the sixteenth to the twenty-first century, and from composers as diverse as Bach and Bernstein to Mozart and Mathias, as well as a range of light music.  Over the years they have raised many thousands of pounds for both local and national charities and have enjoyed success in choral competitions.

The choir was formed over thirty years ago, when Guilsfield Amateur Dramatic Society divided into two groups.  This was the beginning of the Guilsfield Concert Party, under the direction of Bethan Scotford, and the group were soon entertaining packed houses with musicals and light opera.

Audrey Beeston then took over the role of Musical Director and the group became known as the Guilsfield Singers.  Under Audrey’s baton they soon established a high reputation, giving concerts at many venues over a large area.  Suzanne Edwards took over in 1996 on Audrey’s retirement, and the choir gave many exciting and imaginative performances during her ten years with them.

Gerry Howe became Musical Director in 2006.  Gerry trained at the London College of Music and Trinity College, London.  He is a freelance voice coach, conductor and arranger.  He is Organist and Choirmaster at St Peter’s Church in Prestbury and conducts the Cantiones chamber choir in Oswestry.

Under his direction the choir has made significant progress, particularly extending its repertoire to popular choral works such as Fauré’s Requiem and Stainer’s Crucifixion.

The Guilsfield Singers perform a regular programme of concerts each year – a concert of Easter music, a Supper Concert of light music in the early summer, and Christmas music.

They are also happy to respond, whenever possible, to invitations to perform for a reasonable fee for charity – either local or national – or at events such as weddings.

Rehearsals are at 7.30 pm on Wednesday evenings at The Old School in Guilsfield.  The choir welcomes new members: no audition necessary.