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East Malling Singers |
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East Malling Singers |
Photograph by kind permission of Kent Messenger
East Malling Singers is a mixed choir of approximately 60 amateur singers currently in its 40th season and under the able leadership of Music Director Benjamin Rous.
Rehearsals take place in term time on Wednesdays from 8-10pm in The Church of St. James the Great, East Malling, Kent.
A minimum of four concerts per year are performed, usually in the church, one of which is a 'Come & Sing' event in which we are joined by soloists and orchestra, and has proven popular with guest singers.
We run a patrons scheme whereby people wishing to support our choir pay a minimum annual donation in return for various benefits, including discounted ticket prices, and invitation to social and fund-raising events.
The choir has an active social life, with regular quiz evenings, an annual meal, and of course visits to the pub after rehearsals!
For more information or if you are interested in joining us please contact our secretary Jane Crotty
East Malling Singers is affiliated to Making Music and is a registered charity (No. 1091754)
Benjamin studied composition, piano and conducting at the Royal College of Music and at King's College, London and has played in masterclasses with Dame Moura Lympany, Bernard Roberts and Benjamin Zander. At the RCM Benjamin performed at the 60th Birthday concert for Edwin Roxburgh and as a pianist in the Composer's Ensemble. More recently he was an accompanist in the Sounds New Festival in Canterbury, giving the second performance of John Casken's Chansons de Verlaine
Benjamin is currently Music Director of East Malling Singers and also works as a freelance conductor with orchestras, ensembles, choirs and in the theatre. He works in a variety of roles with the County Youth Choirs - He was pianist and assistant conductor for the Kent Youth Choir on their tour of Finland and Estonia; pianist in the ensemble accompanying the Kent County Junior Singers and massed junior school choirs at the Royal Albert Hall. He directed the Kent Youth Chamber Choir's most recent course and regularly tutors the Kent Youth Barbershop.
Benjamin has given classes for the Wigmore Hall and Goldsmith's College (University of London). He currently teaches at Wallington County Grammar School in Surrey and at the Conservatoire in Blackheath where he is Course Leader for Academic Music. For several years he was involved with the training of the Senior Orchestra at St Dunstan's College and conducted them in concerts at St John's, Smith Square in London.
Benjamin is a member of Ginkgo Music - a project linking music and ecology to foster the biodiversity of forest ecosystems. He has worked as one of the pianists and arrangers for the charity's first CD release and conducted the orchestra which is featured on several of the tracks. The CD has now been mastered at Abbey Road and will be in the shops this summer. Please visit Ginkgo Music to find out more.
April 2010
A special variety concert in aid of the Church of St. James the Great's Flush Fund.
Guest performers include: Vanesa Ashbee (Soprano), Claire Durling (Soprano), Jane Elliot (Mezzo Soprano), Nick Bland (piano and organ), Benjamin Rous (Piano), Innominata and St James's Church Choir.
Tickets £5 from Michael Rogers on 01622 718375
Featuring excerpts from Bach's Christmas Oratorio as well as seasonal readings and carols form the choir, organ and piano.
Plus other choral and instrumental works.
With choirs, soloists, two pianos and five percussionists.
All concerts take place in East Malling Church by kind permission of the Vicar and Church Wardens, beginning at 7.30pm.
Tickets for the above events priced at £8, £6 (concessions) and children free (unless otherwise stated) are available
from Sue Greenham (01622 750943), or at the door.
Season tickets £32/£24. Purchase a season ticket to reserve your preferred place for each concert.
Additional Sessions
7.30 weekly by arrangement
Since the launch of this scheme in July 1999 when our retiring Music Director David Leeke became a lifetime member we now have total of 32 patrons. Our thanks go out to the following:-
| Kate Adds | Margaret Amos | Anna Ashbee | Nick Ashbee | Anne Chance |
| Robert Chance | Alison Dando | Shri Footring | Connie Garrett | Elaine Gordon* |
| Robert Greenham* | Sue Greenham* | Andrea Jones | David Leeke* | Tina Leeke* |
| Mary Anne Mathews | Tim Mathews | Stella Monaghan Addy | Paul Moss | Malcolm Moulton |
| Mairi Moulton | Brian Parfett | Penny Parfett | Tudor Price* | Benjamin Rous* |
| Ron Rous | Brian Self | Brian Shaw | Liz Simpson | Michele Turney |
| Di Woodrow |
(* denotes lifetime patron)
You too can become a patron of East Malling Singers! For as little as £12 per year you will receive a 25% discount on concert tickets, invitation to social events, news letter and season brochure.
If you would like to support East Malling Singers please contact Janey Crotty for further details.
Many thanks to Ron for photography and brochure design, Gareth Foreman for logo design, and also to Pia, Tim, Marjorie, Anthony and Howard for their reviews.
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