Ed Sutton - Musical Director

Ed SuttonEd Sutton first worked with choirs as Diocesan Organ Scholar in Norwich. He was simultaneously major music scholar at the King's School, Ely. He read music at the University of Edinburgh and continued his studies at the University of Exeter where he was Ouseley Senior Organ Scholar, researching the choral music of Giovanni Paolo Cima. Since then Ed has held various organist and choir director positions.

Ed left the music world many years ago and took a better paid career in financial services. He currently works in underwriting and product development in The City and lives in Chelsmford with his miniature schnauzer. He enjoys quizzes and gin - often in combination!

 


 

    ALUMNI    

 

 

Ailsa Campbell - Musical Director

 

Ailsa CampbellAilsa Campbell is from Northumberland and began her singing career in Hexham Abbey Girls’ choir at the age of 9. She completed her undergraduate degree in Music and the University of Bristol. During her undergraduate studies she was appointed as the first female Choral Scholar at Bristol Cathedral and conducted the University Chamber Choir in her final year.

 

Ailsa then went on to study for a Masters in Solo Voice Ensemble Singing at the University of York with Robert Hollingworth (director of I Fagiolini) and graduated with Distinction. Alongside the Masters, she was a member of the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain Fellowship Programme and held the Leeds Festival Chorus Chorus Master Scholarship, where she received lessons in front of the choir, had opportunities to conduct them in concerts and assistant conduct the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

Ailsa then moved to London to pursue a freelance singing and conducting career and held scholarships at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Holy Sepulchre Church and St George’s Bloomsbury.

She is a current Sing For Pleasure Young Conducting Scholar and sings as a regular soprano at the Tower of London.

Jamie Wright - Musical Director

Jamie WrightJamie studied Music at the University of York and undertook the vocal performance Masters programme at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating with distinction.

He is an alumnus of the National Youth Choir’s of Great Britain Fellowship and Genesis Sixteen choral training schemes and is a selected solo artist with Making Music UK for the 2019-20 season.

After leaving the Royal Academy of Music, Jamie worked closely with Gareth Malone as an arranger and vocal coach for his two shows, The Naked Choir and Gareth’s Best in Britain, going on to join Gareth in his choir ‘Voices’ for a UK tour and subsequent recordings.

A keen educator, Jamie works regularly with Welsh National Opera, Garsington Opera, Spitalfields Music, The Sixteen, Britten Sinfonia, and the National Youth Choir’s of Great Britain as a vocal animateur, and workshop leader, alongside conducting the London Youth Choir Cambiata Boys Choir and Billericay Choral Society. He delivers a wide range of workshops for all ages exploring multiple genres and beatboxing, and has recently developed a music theory teaching application for schools; Muso.

In January 2020 Jamie joined the 5-time Grammy award winning a cappella group The Swingles as baritone and vocal percussionist.

Twitter: @jamiewdwright Web-site: www.jamie-wright.co.uk

Ashley Thompson - Accompanist

Ashley Thompson jpeg

Ashley is a professional pianist and conductor, who directs The Triple H Community (Hockley), Maldon Choral Society, Anglia Singers (Chelmsford), Gale Singers (Dagenham) and Ad Hoc Singers (Upminster).

He is organist at Welsey Methodist Church (Leigh on Sea).

Ashley holds an ABCD Diploma in Choral Directing and an ALCM for Piano Accompaniment from the London College of Music.

He is employed as a piano teacher at Allegro Music Academy (Westcliff on Sea), Holt Farm Junior School (Rochford) and Montgomerie Primary School (South Benfleet).
Ashley represents Leigh Ward for the Liberal Democrats on Southend on Sea Borough Council.

Former Musical Directors and Accompanists

 Musical Directors 
   Accompanists
 Ellie Parsons    Daniel Roberts
 Jonathan Schranz    Christopher Guild  
 David Todd    Joanna Smith
 Ian Walker    Ian Ryan
 Benjamin Rous    Martyn Heald
 David Taylor    Janice Hallsworth
 James Young    Clive Smith
 David Knight    John Hatt
 Charles Western    
 Keith Kent    
 Arthur Sparke    
 D. Gwyn Jones