Musical Director

Karl Daymond AGSM

On taking the appointment as Musical Director of the choir Karl said:

“I am honoured and delighted to have been asked to take over the musical directorship of the Chepstow Male Voice Choir. With Deputy Musical Director, Elaine Rigby,I look forward to building on the outstanding work carried out by Brian Howard in his time with the choir.
I am eager to begin our schedule of rehearsals and concerts and look forward to sharing our combined experiences and skills in order to develop and grow as a team. As a Chepstow resident I have long admired the choir’s unique sound and have appreciated its musical dedication. The choir has a strong link with the town and shows a firm commitment and responsibility to the local community, which, in these unsettled times I more important than ever”.

Deputy Musical Director

Elaine Matthews LGSM; B.Ed

The choir and, especially, the hard-worked musical team, have welcomed Elaine Rigby as the newly-appointed Deputy Musical Director, who rejoined the choir in May, 2006.

Elaine had a former association with this choir from its formation in 1988 when she was the accompanist and deputy conductor. In 1993 she formed the Chepstow Youth Choir, and left the seniors to devote her energies and skills to the development of the young choir where she remained for seven years as the Musical Director. Mother of two and grandmother of one, Elaine hails, originally, from Liverpool but is now settled in Chepstow.

She is a Licentiate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and attended Bretton Hall College in Yorkshire as a post-graduate student. Fully qualified as a teacher of pianoforte and singing, her last teaching post was as Head of Music at the Bluecoat School in Gloucestershire.

Accompanists

Rosemarie Lewis has spent all her life in the Forest of Dean. She began studying piano at the age of 5. She completed all the external examinations of the Victoria College of Music, gaining her diploma at the age of 18. Rosemarie’s husband is the Director of Music of the Pillowell Brass Band and she accompanies the young brass soloists in their grade examinations. She also accompanies two other small local choirs, all of which adds up to a busy, but full life, doing what Rosemarie enjoys most – making music.

Eileen Chesworth was born in Ross-on-Wye, but spent her childhood in Caldicot where she studied piano from the age of 6. She belonged to the Methodist choir and the local operatic society playing in “the pit” for a Gilbert & Sullivan performance at the age of 14. Eileen is an accomplished soprano with a very varied repertoire, ranging from singing with a dance band to principal soprano with the with Marylebone Operatic Society. She has sung professionally with a Madrigal & Opera group. Her musical career is impressively diverse, ranging from her solo singing; Church organist; singing with a pipe band and much more.

At the 2008 Christmas Concert, which was Brian Howard’s last public engagement with the choir, the choir’s President, Mr. Peter Nurcombe, presented him with a scroll which denoted Brian’s appointment as an Honorary Life Member of the choir. He is also remaining in a consultative role as support to the whole musical team.

The Choristers

The Committee

Emrys Davies

Paul Waters
Roger George
Barrie Evans
Alan Rowles

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