Choir Soloists

SUE BLACK

The choir considers itself extremely fortunate in having the wonderful soprano Susan Black to sing for us in many of our concerts. She has been on most of our tours over the years and has wowed audiences both home and abroad with her fabulous voice and her sparkling stage presence.

Susan has a wide repertoire, from early music to new works of contemporary composers, covering opera, light opera, oratorio, recitals and concert work.

She has performed in concert halls, theatres and cathedrals throughout the UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands, and in France, Germany, Spain, Holland, Washington DC., South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Susan has had the privilege of performing all the greatest leading roles in the grand opera repertoire, the most recent being Elizabeth of Valois in the latest production by Bel Canto Opera of Don Carlos by Verdi.

Susan has shared the platform with many local choral societies, brass bands, orchestras and opera companies, male voice choirs, including her dearest friends, The Churchdown Male Voice Choir, as well as The Morriston Orpheus and Treorchy Male Choirs, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, The Band of the Grenadier Guards, Fine Arts Brass Ensemble, The English Symphony Orchestra, The Band of the Royal Air Force and other military bands.

Sue has been singing with the choir for over 30 years and we are extremely grateful that she has brightened our stages on so many occasions.

RALPH BARNES

In addition to his duties as the choir's Music Director, Ralph is a very fine tenor soloist and performs often in this role in concerts. He is also in demand by other music groups in Gloucestershire and has sung with the Silurian Singers, the choral societies of Churchdown, Charlton Kings and Cheltenham.

JEFF BOURTON

Jeff has been singing with the choir since 1998 and has been performing as a soloist, with Pam Taverner at the piano, since 2000. He is featured in many of our concerts and has delighted audiences both in this country and on our several choir trips abroad.

Eventually and accompanied by Pam, Jeff made a CD of 20 or so of his favourite songs which spanned more than a century of songwriting. This CD illustrates beautifully his relaxed and polished style and Pam's impeccable accompaniments. The two of them have produced a CD which would stand against many a professional singer and accompanist..

The CD, entitled Jeff Bourton, 100 years in song, costs £10 inc p&p and can be obtained at any of our choir concerts or, initially by filling in the contact form below.