History
The Mid-Northumberland Chorus has its origins in a choral group formed in the mid 1970's by Michael Doswell, formerly Head of Music at King Edward VI School, Morpeth known as The Mid-Northumberland Singers. This small group specialized in part songs and also performed smaller scale choral works such as Vivaldi's Gloria and Haydn's Te Deum augmented by the choir of KEVI School. The Mid-Northumberland Singers remained in existence until late 1980. Members then wished to continue choral singing and invited Audrey Stimpson, Head of Music at Ashington Hirst High School to conduct. The Mid-Northumberland Chorus was established in 1981 as a much larger Community Choir.
Audrey Stimpson conducted and ran the choir until her untimely death in 1999. Norma Jewitt, a member of both choirs and former Music teacher at Chantry School, took over as Musical Director and continued until her retirement in 2009. During this period an elected committee was formed to assist the MD and on occasion guest conductors such as Derek Hobbs and Robin Forbes were invited to conduct. Paul Toward was Musical Director from January 2010 until March 2023. Robin Forbes has been musical director from Spring 2023 to present.
Audrey Stimpson conducted and ran the choir until her untimely death in 1999. Norma Jewitt, a member of both choirs and former Music teacher at Chantry School, took over as Musical Director and continued until her retirement in 2009. During this period an elected committee was formed to assist the MD and on occasion guest conductors such as Derek Hobbs and Robin Forbes were invited to conduct. Paul Toward was Musical Director from January 2010 until March 2023. Robin Forbes has been musical director from Spring 2023 to present.
Conductors
Robin Forbes, Musical Director
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Paul Toward, former Musical Director
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Norma Jewitt, former Musical Director
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Accompanists
Choirs cannot function without accompanists and Mid-Northumberland Chorus has been well served over the years. Jennifer Taylor was followed by Marjorie Neave who played for some 20 years up to her retirement in 2006. Ken Irvine shared duties with Marjorie and was a regular accompanist from the mid 1980's until his recent retirement. He was joined by Alyn Routledge in 2009/10, Peter Waugh in 2011/13 and most recently by Emma Straughan in 2014. Emma is now our regular accompanist.
Emma Straughan
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Ken Irvine, former accompanist
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