About Us

BASLOW CHOIR was established in 1971 and currently has over 60 members. In addition to performing at least three concerts a year, the choir presents additional concerts in support of charitable events in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire. The Choir sings a wide range of music, from serious choral works to more light-hearted offerings. Baslow Choir also specialises in exploring the lesser-known parts of the choral repertoire.



ANDREW MARPLES became Musical Director in 2008. He is an experienced Conductor and Chorus-Master and is well-known locally having directed choirs at Buxton Opera House, Crucible Theatre, Lyceum Theatre and Chatsworth House, to name but a few. Andrew studied composition and piano at Reading University and piano accompaniment at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He was a chorister for 28 years with Chesterfield Parish Church Choir and then Sheffield Cathedral Choir and is in great demand as a conductor.

                         

ALISON WHEELDON Alison began accompanying when she was in the sixth form at school. She went on to play for Chapel-en-le-Frith Ladies Choir for over 20 years, with her last concert in December 2006. Following the illness of Baslow Choir’s regular accompanist Llinos Hodgson, Alison (a former choir member) kindly agreed to step into the rôle in January 2008. Alison has accompanied for the Buxton Music, Speech & Drama Festival and used to teach children and adults the piano (something she hopes to return to in the future). She is Music Co-ordinator at Harpur Hill Primary School, Buxton and also trains the school choir.  In September 2007, Alison became a playing member of “Plague o’Bells" – a hand bell troupe who regularly perform at the Baslow Choir Christmas concerts.