Chair - Louise Watson
Secretary - Judith James
Music Librarian - Janice Robinson
Treasurer - Bev Bowles
Honorary President - Dr Roy Sharma
Roy was raised in Rochdale, Lancashire and from the age of 10, went to Manchester Grammar School and then on to Queens' Cambridge and the Welsh National School of Medicine. He became a full time GP in Lydney in 1982 and stayed there until he retired in 2016. Since then he has worked as a "freelance" in surgeries and hospitals - which, he says, is great fun. His wife Julie introduced him to vocal music and his interest has continued. He says "It is a great privilege and pleasure to be involved with the Springfield Singers. I hope to get to as many of their performances that my schedule permits".
Roy - we will be pleased to see you.
Musical Director - Sarah Waycott
Sarah began her musical life with the flute but soon added the cello to her instruments and is now enjoying a varied career as a professional freelance musician.
Studying music at her local college, Sarah continued to read for a general music degree at Bath Spa University where she encompassed everything from classical to Jazz; Baroque flute and cello; the viol; and performed with the college orchestra and many diverse ensembles. Going on to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama she again specialised in performance, gaining her Postgraduate Diploma.
As an established freelancer, she has performed in the UK and overseas and enjoys the combination of teaching and performing. Among her most notable performances, Sarah has performed at St Martin in the Fields, for the Countess of Wessex, appeared in an advert for Sky Television and performed at the premiere of 'Pictures', a Thursday film production starring Andrea Corr and Neil Pearson.
Sarah regularly works as part of Tranquillo Duo with Hannah Mitchell - A flute and piano duo spanning all genres and bringing exciting twists to well known favourites, film music and new works. Tranquillo is an important part of Sarah's musical life see the website www.tranquillo.co.uk They perform across the UK and overseas for recitals, concerts, private and corporate functions, weddings, festivals and many other occasions. They focus on providing exciting and accessible music and although classically trained performers they like to add a certain hint of 'Classical Crossover' style to their performances. Tranquillo are also well known for supporting, performing and often premiering new works by composers and in 2010 they released their debut album which can be purchased from their website.
Through her varied career, Sarah has also found herself as the Musical Director of several choirs in her local area. Sarah is current Musical Director of Springfield Singers, a ladies choir, and the mixed community choir Forest Singers. Both perform regularly for charity, weddings and local events.
Sarah was a founder member of ELO Again as cellist for the popular tribute band and toured with them until early 2016.
A new collaboration in 2018 has evolved in the creation of Ex Animo, a flute and piano duo with pianist Yanna Zissiadou that specialises in 20th century music.
With harpist Jemima Philips, Duel, rework well known and popular music creating exciting programmes with the use of electronic effects and looping pedals.
Sarah has performed in workshops with Graham Meyger, Karen Jones, Ian Clarke, Phillipa Davies and she is currently studying with Susan Milan./p>
Accompanist - Annette Pagliaro
Music has been a passion of Annette’s since she used to sing in the garden at the age of two, using the end of the washing line as a microphone!
She sang, played the piano, clarinet, flute and recorder at school and after graduating in English from University of Wales College, Cardiff and completing teacher training, she was accepted on a Postgraduate course to study Singing at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
She continued her studies with Miriam Bowen and Jeanette Massocchi and gained an LGSM Singing diploma.
She has performed as a soloist with numerous male voice choirs and in works including Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ and ‘Mass in C Minor’, Handel’s ‘Messiah’, Bach’s’ Magnificat’, Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’ and Elgar’s ‘Musicmakers’.
She also enjoyed playing Maria in ‘The Sound of Music’ and Jack in ‘Jack in the Beanstalk’ with a local Operatic Society!
Now a busy Singing teacher, she takes great pleasure in encouraging pupils of all ages to find confidence and enjoyment in expressing themselves through their voice.
In recent years, she has developed her recorder and flute playing and is a member of the Divertimenti Consort, a group of recorder players led by Moira Fraser-Hook, which performs regularly in Monmouthshire and beyond.
She has always loved playing the piano for her pupils and is delighted with her new role as accompanist for The Springfield Singers.