Newport Pagnell Singers

All about the
Newport Pagnell Singers

The Present Day

The current Musical Director, Jonathan Harris, joined the Newport Pagnell Singers in July 2021. Since his appointment, the Singers have performed popular concerts in Newport Pagnell and Sherington, including a Christmas concert with the Bradwell Silver Band, a Jubilee Proms celebration, and an exciting Come and Sing workshop and performance in February 2022 including Vivaldi’s Gloria and Parry’s Blest Pair of Sirens. Jonathan brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the role, together with his accompanying skills, and under his expert guidance the choir continues to enjoy a wide variety of styles of music from Monteverdi and Mozart to Richard Rodgers and Carly Simon.

Newport Pagnell Singers

Newport Pagnell Singers Choir Committee

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Front of House

Newport Pagnell Singers
Newport Pagnell Singers

The 21st Century

In 1998, Dr Gerald Hill became Musical Director; he was instrumental in extending the Singers repertoire and skilled in finding new works that were suited to the choir. In 2000 the choir gave the premiere of Requiem 2000, composed by Gerald himself. Other highlights included Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast with a guest soloist, tenor Andrew Bell, in 2002, and a performance in 2004 of the relatively unknown piece The Snowbird by Pat Thayer, contrasted with the ever-popular Vivaldi’s Gloria.

Richard Heyes became the Singers’ Musical Director in 2003. He introduced the choir to more contemporary styles of music such as Abba and Simon and Garfunkel, extending their lighter repertoire. The choir was joined by Ed Tomlinson as accompanist, and he remained in this position until 2019 when Wayne Chan took his place. Roger Windmill took over as Musical Director in 2011, just before the Choir’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2012. Under his baton the Singers continued their blend of classical and contemporary, including concerts such as “Baroque to Rock”, “Last Night of the Proms”, “Great Choral Masterpieces” and the now traditional Christmas celebration with a brass band in Newport Pagnell Parish Church.

The 80s and 90s

Edwin Lack took over as Musical Director in 1977, having previously acted as accompanist at a Victorian Evening Concert. Native to Newport Pagnell, Edwin was returning to teach at Ousedale School and brought a new sense of direction to the Newport Pagnell Singers. Under his baton, the choir performed in many villages throughout the local area, including Sherington, North Crawley, Astwood, Gayhurst, Moulsoe, Little Linford, Lavendon, Stoke Goldington, Emberton, and Tyringham. Many of these concerts helped the villages raise money for their church and hall funds.

Sadly, Ethel Wesley, founder member, accompanist, and treasurer, died in May 1986. Edwin took over as accompanist as well as Musical Director and continued in this role until his death in 1997. A performance of Handel’s Messiah by Newport Pagnell Singers, with professional soloists, was held in memory of Edwin early in 1998.

Newport Pagnell Singers
Newport Pagnell Singers
Newport Pagnell Singers
Newport Pagnell Singers

The Early Years

In 1962 the Newport Pagnell Singers was formed by Mrs Ethel Wesley, who was the organist at the Parish Church, and a group of women who had been members of the Newport Pagnell Choral Societies, sadly disbanded in 1960. They decided to form their own group so they could continue to sing and socialise together. The name Newport Pagnell Singers was agreed upon, and they appointed their first Musical Director in Mr Arnold Jones, of Wolverton.

Arnold Jones had a wealth of experience as a church organist, Musical Director of the Wolverton Gilbert and Sullivan Society, and Musical Director of the Wolverton Light Orchestra. Ethel Wesley took on the administrative work, including subscriptions and sourcing music, as well as the job of accompanist to the choir. Concerts then were usually at Christmas and Easter – then, as now, often raising money for charity. Arnold Jones’ last concert with the Singers was Easter, 1967, in the Congregational Church. This is now the United Reformed Church, where Newport Pagnell Singers rehearse to this day.

Between 1967 and 1974, there were three Musical Directors: Tony Eaton, until 1972; the Reverend Geoffrey Russell, Vicar of New Bradwell; and Richard Lambert, who was a teacher at Lord Grey School, Bletchley. In 1974, Ian Smith became Musical Director, and started to introduce small orchestras to the Singers’ concerts. He produced a concert version of Merrie England with soloists drawn from the Singers, before moving to become director of the Danesborough Chorus in 1977.

Some things you should know: FAQ

Ladies: Black trousers or a full-length long black skirt, plain long sleeved black top, blue scarf (available from the Choir)

Men: Dark suit, white shirt,  black bow tie

Our subscription is currently £155 per year, which can be paid in installments. We prefer payment by BACS. There’s no charge for the first few weeks.

We rehearse at the United Reformed Church, High St, Newport Pagnell, MK16 8AB. We rehearse every Monday evening, except bank holidays and during August, from 7.30-9.30pm.

The choir gives four main concerts a year and some smaller ones in between. Most of our concerts are held in Newport Pagnell Parish Church or at St Laud’s Church in Sherington.

NPS is run by a committee that meets at least four times a year. The AGM is held in January.

Most committee members join at the AGM, but if you are interested in helping to run the choir you can join at any time, just speak to one of us.

No, you don’t have to be able to read music, but it helps if you can follow the line of music.

We sing a wide variety of music, everything from Classical to Rock and Pop.

NPS likes to support local charities. Recently we have supported Willen Hospice, The Mead Centre and St Laud’s Church, Sherington. 

We ask you to include your phone number so that we have an alternative way of contacting you, to your email address.

Jonathan Harris

Jonathan Harris has been Musical Director of Newport Pagnell Singers since July 2021. Despite this, the rehearsals are always enjoyable and entertaining with a strong focus on keeping everyone singing as much as possible throughout the rehearsal. Concerts with Jonathan have included a range of musical styles from Handel choral classics to lighter contemporary repertoire. They have all involved audience participation; nevertheless, audience numbers are excellent with lots of support from the local area.

When it is not Monday evening, Jonathan can be found teaching primary school music and playing or teaching the organ.

Pete Dodman

Peter’s singing career started at Fernwood School in Woburn Sands where he first sang as a soloist
at the age of 7 in their Christmas Concert. His mother described his rendition of “When you wish upona star” as nothing short of angelic (my how things have changed over the years).

Moving to Bedford School in 1993 he sang in their Chapel Choir throughout all of his 10 years at the school and became one of their head choristers.

After joining Newport Pagnell Singers in September 2019 as part of the bass section, Peter became a member of the committee in 2020. After becoming heavily involved in the organisation of our concerts Peter had become a mass contributor to the choir and became Chairman of the choir in January 2023.

Alison Hunt

I'm Alison Hunt and I joined the choir in 2019. I have always played viola and piano but hadn’t sung since I was at school. I joined the altos but am now singing tenor. I am retired with four gorgeous grandchildren who keep me busy. I love reading and walking, and my husband and I support Newport Pagnell Town football club.

Karen Evans

Hello, I’m Karen and I’ve been a member of the Singers for over 30 years. I sing in the alto section of the choir. I’m passionate about singing and music making and love to share what I’ve learnt in our rehearsals to our audiences.

When I’m not singing you can find me running and cycling around Newport or at the local gym. I have three grown up children and one gorgeous granddaughter. I also have three beautiful cats. I also play the tenor horn with Bradwell Silver Band’s Development group.

Oh and my favourite colour is purple – can you tell?

Gill Wagle

Lin and Gill have been fine upstanding members of the back row Alto section for 10 and 5 years
respectively.  They practice the music diligently at home, much to the joy of their families and are
eagerly awaiting the audition call from Andrew Lloyd Webber Productions to star in the remake of A Sound of Music.

They look forward to Monday evening Rehearsals and both thoroughly appreciate Johnathan’s patience and good humour. Sometimes both tend to be prone to uncontrollable laughter but mostly hide this by blending in with the furniture at the back.

Lin Nyman

Lin and Gill have been fine upstanding members of the back row Alto section for 10 and 5 years
respectively.  They practice the music diligently at home, much to the joy of their families and are
eagerly awaiting the audition call from Andrew Lloyd Webber Productions to star in the remake of A Sound of Music.

They look forward to Monday evening Rehearsals and both thoroughly appreciate Johnathan’s patience and good humour. Sometimes both tend to be prone to uncontrollable laughter but mostly hide this by blending in with the furniture at the back.