About
The Choir
Cradley Singers is a choir of approximately 40 singers performing three concerts each year in and around Malvern and Herefordshire. Although we originated as Cradley Village choir, our members now come from many villages and market towns in the area, such as Ledbury, Bromyard and Malvern.
We sing a wide variety of music, ranging from serious works such as the Haydn Nelson Mass and the Mozart Requiem to light-hearted jazz and contemporary pieces.
The choir makes regular charitable donations from the proceeds of concerts and general events. Its nominated charity for 2024/25 is the Herefordshire Music Fund
Committee
Cradley Singers is run by an elected Committee of 5 serving members including the following:
- Sheila Tolley: Chair
- Louise Ruane: Treasurer
- Alison Randall: Secretary
- Vicky Gatley: Publicity
- Ann Peach: Librarian
Musical Director
Kate Cheetham read Music at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford and has taught at a wide variety of schools. She held the position of Director of Music at Heathside School Weybridge and at Rosebery School Epsom. Since moving to Herefordshire, Kate taught A level Music at Hereford Sixth Form College until retiring in 2022.
Aside from classroom teaching, and playing the piano and cello, Kate has always been a keen choral singer. Sir David Wilcocks was a formative influence during her time singing in the Bach Choir, and Kate studied choral conducting under Manvinder Rattan and Sarah Tennant Flowers, graduating from the Sing for Pleasure advanced choral conducting course in 2015.
Kate has recently been able to fulfil a long-held ambition by learning to play the organ, and was Appointed Director of Music at St. Michaels Church, Ledbury in 2020 where choral singing has now made a return, including the very popular Choral Evensong services.
Accompanist
Tim Sidford is a freelance pianist, violinist and music teacher. He has performed extensively across the UK , most notably at London’s Wigmore Hall and Purcell Room. He is a member of the Estrilda Piano Trio and the Boehm Ensemble, and is in regular demand as an accompanist. Tim reached the BBC Young Musicians Semi-Finals aged 15, and went onto study at the Royal College of Music, where he took his degree and Postgraduate Diploma.
