LADYBROOK SINGERS

Ladybrook Singers is a highly regarded Ladies Choir from Stockport and was formed in 1928 by Elise Harrop who led the choir for 32 years. They competed and travelled widely as they sang in music festivals at home and abroad. In 1939 they undertook a remarkable trip to Canada.

In 2009 Alison Bletcher became Musical Director. She has an honours degree from the Royal Academy of Music, London and an MA in Music Performing (Singing) from Salford University. She has performed widely as a soloist in numerous oratorios, taken leading roles in operas and been a guest soloist with many choirs. She also teaches music and has arranged or composed some of our favourite pieces. Alison is committed to helping choir members learn and develop singing skills whilst enjoying themselves.

Celia Maylor became our accompanist in 2004. She studied with John Ramsden at Liverpool Matthay School of Music, with Eva Warren of Royal Northern College of Music and with Czech pianist Jana Franklova at Lancaster University.

Throughout its long history, the choir has been sucessful in many competitions and festivals. In recent years we have won awards at Hazel Grove Festival, Biddulph Festival and the Mrs Sunderland Festival in Huddersfield. We have travelled within this country and toured abroad. We have been privileged to perform in some beautiful places including the cathedrals of Durham and Worcester, Trinity Church, Stratford Upon Avon and The Bowes Museum. Singing at The Menin Gate was a moving and memorable experience.

Each year we perform several concerts in our local area. One of these is a charity concert and this year we have been delighted to support Manchester Blood Bikes.

Please come along to this free lunchtime concert held within the Nave of the Abbey.

A retiring collection for Abbey funds will take place