About Us
The 40 or so singers in the Over Wyre Community Choir come from all walks of life and have varying levels of musical experience and ability. Although the standard of our singing has continued to improve, we sing for enjoyment rather than to reach competition standard. For that reason new members are not asked to take an audition.
You don’t have to be able to sight read, although it does help if you can! Within each section there are always some people who are more confident than others, so we help each other along.
You are welcome to come along for a few weeks to try us out before joining.
Stephen Boyd | Musical Director & Conductor
Stephen began his musical interest at the age of five when he began to play the piano and at the age of 14 he progressed to the organ.
Stephen studied music at St. Martin’s College, Lancaster. He was involved with the Chapel Choir where he had the opportunity to travel around the UK with the Chapel Choir singing and conducting in various festivals including Liverpool and Carlisle Cathedrals and Hampton Court Palace. During his time at St. Martin’s, Stephen was awarded the position of Organ Scholar, a post which he held for three years.
Before coming to the Over Wyre Community Choir, Stephen was the musical director for the Morecambe Bay Singers (formerly Morecambe & District Philharmonic Choir) for 11 years.
Brenda Bentley | Accompanist
Brenda grew up within a ‘musical’ family and after starting the piano at five years old, would play for the Sunday school at her church in Lancaster. At the age of 12 she joined a local brass band as a cornet player with whom she travelled the country taking part in contests until leaving for teacher training college.
During a 36 year teaching career she organised choirs, wind bands, recorder and guitar groups and held one of the seven posts of AST’s (Advanced Skills Teacher) for music in Lancashire. Leading instrumental and singing workshops for teachers and children led her to initiate, along with two other local people, the formation of Carleton Community Chorus. This is an adult choir where she has been accompanist for the last seven years.