Welcome to Gresley Male Voice Choir

Based in Swadlincote, nestled at the southern tip of Derbyshire,
England, Gresley takes its name from the Parish of Church Gresley nearby, where the choir was born.


Karen Drummond & Karl Harper

The choir has over 50 members and fulfills on average 20 engagements a year performing for a range of societies from small groups, churches to national bodies, and has toured extensively, in the U.K., Ireland, Europe and U.S.A. including a number of choir exchange visits.

Rehearsals are held in the schoolroom at West Street Methodist Church Swadlincote on Wednesdays 7.30 to 9.00pm. and Fridays 7.30 to 9.15pm. The choir has an exstensive repertoire covering classical, operetta, grand opera, music from the shows, popular music, part songs and religious music.

There is also a boys choir, formed in 1996, capable of fulfilling a full concert programme. The boys rehearse each Wednesday from
6.10pm to 7.15 pm. in the same venue as the adult choir.

Karl Harper

Karl is Musical Director of Gresley Male Voice Choir and has been MD since 1994. He owns his own company called Karl Harper Music Services. He started this in 1998 and under this umbrella he offers singing and voice training and also repair of brass and woodwind instruments.

Karl is also a semi-professional singer in his own right whose performances include oratorio, lieder recitals, opera and shows; many of which are themed evening as requested by clients. CD's of his own music are available from his website.

He is married and has three children all of whom are involved with music, two who are music teachers, and the third a professional trombonist.

He was a robotics and automation engineer until 10 years ago when redundancy enabled him to pursue his first love of singing and teaching and latterly use his engineering expertise in his repair business.
Website address is: www.karlharper.co.uk

Karen Drummond

Originally from Nottingham, Karen is a pianist and violinist and enjoyed a varied performing history. These include World Premiers of 20th Century works as part of the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, liaising with composers and conductors alike. She has performed under the direction of Sir David Wilcocks, Paul Daniel and has toured France with organist Peter Hurford resulting in a return visit to Versailles the following year to lead a string ensemble representing England in a World Music Extravaganza.

As well as Karen's recital work, accompanying and orchestral playing, she has spent 6 years in Oldham as a Secondary school teacher, 3 years as Head of Department. After taking a two-year break from the classroom following the birth of her daughter she returned to Nottingham to continue work in the teaching profession for the Arts Support Service offering specialist curriculum support to Primary Schools.

Karen was pleased to be invited to accompany the Gresley Male Voice Choir having previously enjoyed playing for the Chapel-en-le-Frith Choir.

President

R. H. Whetton, F.T.C.L., L.G.S.M., F.E.S.B., F.R.S.A