About Us
Uttoxeter Choral Society – founded in 1881
We are one of the oldest Choral Societies in the UK with a continuous record of making music – a feat matched by very few other societies. We have a fascinating history, including a number of famous names associated with the Society. Read more on our History page.
The Society in numbers…
Our usual membership
Balanced voice parts
Concerts since 1881
Concerts each year
Students have supported us since 2012
Recent occasions working with other choirs
UCS is dedicated to singing together to a high musical standard. We pride ourselves on working together to improve our singing techniques, widen our musical knowledge and repertoire and to giving enjoyment to others through our concert performances.
OUR VISION
Is to be a strong, resilient choir, building on our established, long reputation, a natural choice for amateur singers in our region.
Our Values
- Enabling collaborative musical excellence together
- Working hard in the pursuit of our performance goals
- Generously supporting each other with respect and patience
- Sharing enjoyment and fun together
- Being considerate, inclusive and welcoming to all
Our Management Committee
As a Charity, we have an elected committee to manage the society.
For the 2023-24 Season we have six members:
Matthew Crosse (Chair)
Judith Crosse (Treasurer)
Jane Flint (Secretary)
Nick Broad
Nicola Greenwood
Nick Wigg
The committee shares responsibility for the main functions of the choir including:
Finance, Secretarial and Compliance, Membership, Marketing and Communications, Choir Development, Funding and Opportunities.
David Smith (Music Director)
David was a chorister at Ely Cathedral where he developed his love for choral music. He toured Europe with this Choir and St Mary’s, Warwick. David not only sings baritone in choirs but also conducts and runs them too. It includes his own madrigal group, which won a number of awards and village choirs. Since moving to the Midlands, he conducts the UCS and sings with the Derby Bach Choir and a specialist early music group, the Jacobi Chorale. David originally trained in the law before developing a career in finance and insurance.
“David brings terrific enthusiasm and seems to be able to motivate us each week, no matter what mood we are all differently in”.
Helen Chambers (Accompanist)
Helen has taught piano and keyboard and has accompanied for many years, and is UCS’s regular accompanist. She has a particular interest in Medieval and Renaissance music and gives talks on the subject. Helen also takes part in an Early Music ensemble, playing a range of Medieval and Tudor instruments. She also sings mezzo in other choirs and has recently performed in Vienna.
“Helen is dazzlingly good pianist and brings out the best in each part. We all feel we are being led by her”.
Matthew Crosse (Chair)
Working closely with the management committee, Matthew ensures the choir runs smoothly. Whilst his career is in management consulting, he has a deep passion for music and has sung in many groups including the Jacobi Chorale and is fascinated in renaissance and baroque music. Originally an engineer, Matthew now runs his own consultancy business supporting major projects in the UK and Europe. He enjoys opera and has also been known to play jazz from time to time!
“Matthew brings lots of management experience and will help UCS fulfil its five-year ambitions and strategic plan”