Rebecca is a first alto
For as long as I can remember, singing has been a hugely significant part of my life. Initially this was with my church choir and school, but my love of singing really took off when I joined the Leicestershire Youth Choir conducted by Malcolm Goldring. (Little did I know then, that sixteen years later, I would end up becoming his wife!) Malcolm had very high expectations and was a huge inspiration to us all. I was amazed at the standard we were able to achieve under his leadership and attending rehearsals was the highlight of my week. Whilst I was in the Youth Choir, I was awarded a bursary to sing the Verdi Requiem with the Midland Festival Chorus which met once a year to perform major choral works with renowned soloists and professional orchestras including the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. This was my introduction to singing larger scale works and I was so inspired by the experience, that I became a member and sang with them for many years.
Whilst studying for a B.Ed. Hons degree specialising in Music, at Bretton Hall College, I had two years of singing lessons and sang with the College Chamber Choir. As a first study pianist, I was also in demand as an accompanist for other singers and instrumentalists which I enjoyed considerably. I was really fortunate to have Keith Swallow as my piano tutor and, thanks to him, was able to take my LTCL Performers diploma in my third year, and was awarded the Sheila Orrock Performance Prize when I completed my studies.
When I left college to start a career as a primary school teacher, I took over as musical director of my church choir (Markfield Trinity Methodist Church) which I still direct today, and I sang with the Leicester Philharmonic Choir for a couple of years. I was then invited to join the Cavendish Singers (directed by Malcolm Goldring) who were going on tour to America and needed another alto. I remained with this choir for many years – forming many long-lasting friendships and singing in concerts around Leicestershire and further afield. I later joined the Derby based Sitwell Singers when Malcolm (who became my husband in 2000) took over as Musical Director, and remained with them until his death in 2021.
When Malcolm died, I thought I would never be able to sing again but, somehow (divine intervention, I think!), I ended up singing with Leicestershire Chorale. I will always be grateful to Tom Williams and Leicestershire Chorale for providing an opportunity to sing some truly wonderful music which provided considerable solace during a very difficult time in my life.
In 2025, I started having singing lessons with Simon. This has been really challenging, exciting and fulfilling in equal measure! I also heard Viva la Musica for the first time. I was seriously impressed by the quality of the singing (especially the blended sound, the emotional commitment to the music and the shading off on final syllables!) and wanted to be a part of this choir too. This, to my delight, became a reality in March 2026. I still love singing with Chorale, but I’m also really enjoying the challenge of singing in a smaller choir under Simon’s charismatic and dynamic leadership.
At the school where I teach, I lead a large KS2 choir and a smaller chamber choir in addition to leading whole school singing assemblies and singing sessions with Years 3 and 4. I hope that in this small way, I am helping to encourage future generations of singers and give a little back, having been so fortunate myself in the opportunities I have been given.
Whilst studying for a B.Ed. Hons degree specialising in Music, at Bretton Hall College, I had two years of singing lessons and sang with the College Chamber Choir. As a first study pianist, I was also in demand as an accompanist for other singers and instrumentalists which I enjoyed considerably. I was really fortunate to have Keith Swallow as my piano tutor and, thanks to him, was able to take my LTCL Performers diploma in my third year, and was awarded the Sheila Orrock Performance Prize when I completed my studies.
When I left college to start a career as a primary school teacher, I took over as musical director of my church choir (Markfield Trinity Methodist Church) which I still direct today, and I sang with the Leicester Philharmonic Choir for a couple of years. I was then invited to join the Cavendish Singers (directed by Malcolm Goldring) who were going on tour to America and needed another alto. I remained with this choir for many years – forming many long-lasting friendships and singing in concerts around Leicestershire and further afield. I later joined the Derby based Sitwell Singers when Malcolm (who became my husband in 2000) took over as Musical Director, and remained with them until his death in 2021.
When Malcolm died, I thought I would never be able to sing again but, somehow (divine intervention, I think!), I ended up singing with Leicestershire Chorale. I will always be grateful to Tom Williams and Leicestershire Chorale for providing an opportunity to sing some truly wonderful music which provided considerable solace during a very difficult time in my life.
In 2025, I started having singing lessons with Simon. This has been really challenging, exciting and fulfilling in equal measure! I also heard Viva la Musica for the first time. I was seriously impressed by the quality of the singing (especially the blended sound, the emotional commitment to the music and the shading off on final syllables!) and wanted to be a part of this choir too. This, to my delight, became a reality in March 2026. I still love singing with Chorale, but I’m also really enjoying the challenge of singing in a smaller choir under Simon’s charismatic and dynamic leadership.
At the school where I teach, I lead a large KS2 choir and a smaller chamber choir in addition to leading whole school singing assemblies and singing sessions with Years 3 and 4. I hope that in this small way, I am helping to encourage future generations of singers and give a little back, having been so fortunate myself in the opportunities I have been given.