About us

We are a friendly, enthusiastic and inclusive group who meet to enjoy ourselves by singing together.

Our current membership is about 45 of which around 30 generally attend our weekly rehearsals.

There is no need to have previous experience of choral singing or even to be able to read music as you'll be given all the help you need, but you do have to be aged over 18.

The choir's Musical Director is Sandra Powlesland GTCL LTCL PGCE

Sandra studied singing at Trinity College of Music in London, where she was taught by English National Opera’s John Wakefield and also studied piano with Simon Young.

She has performed in many of the country’s major concert halls and was a member of the London Choral Society under the direction of Jane Glover. She also sang with prestigious chamber choir, the Holst Singers, led by Hilary Davan Whetton and Nicholas Kraemer. It was with the Holst Singers that Sandra performed across Europe and made several recordings. A career highlight came with this choir in 1990, when she was selected to perform the soprano solo in the premiere of John Tavener’s “Ikon of the Trinity” at St John’s Smith Square. During her years in London she also sang regularly in the Rob Mitchell Singers on the Radio 2 programme “Friday Night Is Music Night”.

In 2000 Sandra and her family moved to Lancashire where she re-trained as a Primary school teacher. She has held the post of class teacher and Music Co-ordinator at Heyhouses Church of England Primary School ever since. She currently coaches the school choir, which has grown to over ninety children since she began, and annually writes original music for the School Nativity productions.

Sandra has a coaching role with the North West Honour Choir, directed by Bob Chilcott. She is also a founder member of Cambiata North West, a choir specialising in guiding the changing voices of teenage boys, and is a member of the Association of British Choral Directors.

When the idea was suggested to establish a new adult Community Choir in St. Anne's on Sea, she was delighted and proud to accept the position of it's first Musical Director.

The choir's Accompanist is Pippa Kirk GRSM ARMCM

In September 2013 we were very pleased to welcome Pippa as our regular Accompanist. A Graduate of the Royal School of Music, Manchester she has taught music, and especially clarinet and saxophone at a number of private schools on the Fylde Coast. In addition for many years she conducted the Swing Band at King Edward VII and Queen Mary School, Lytham.

She was a member of the Fairhaven Singers and the Brierley Singers, and soloist on numerous occasions. With the Lytham St. Anne's Ladies Choir she was the accompanist for many years as well as being a private music teacher.

She often leaves the piano to join us when we sing 'a cappella'.

Committee

The Choir is run by a small Committee which meets when required, and who are also the trustees of the Heyhouses Community Choir Charity.