The Chelmsford Singers

(More detail is given on the Chelmsford Singer's website, which is accessible via our links page)

The Chelmsford Singers were founded by William Bush in 1927, formed from the male and mixed voice choirs previously conducted by Mrs T.H. Waller. Mr Bush was also organist and choirmaster at St. Peter's Church, now the Church of the Ascension, and the proprietor of Dace's music shop, then sited in New London Road. Mr Bush also created the Chelmsford Festival Orchestra, a strings only orchestra which was the forerunner of the Essex Symphony Orchestra. The Chelmsford Singers and the Chelmsford Festival Orchestra (from 1949 as the ESO) were both involved in the Essex Musical Festival competitions, which were held in the Corn Exchange, a building then standing near the site of the present Chancellor Hall. The Chelmsford Singers had great success over many years in these competitions - at times entering two rival choirs! They also presented regular concerts in the Cathedral.


From their beginning in 1927 until today, the Chelmsford Singers have been closely associated with Chelmsford Cathedral. The Cathedral is their principal concert venue and it has been tradition that the Cathedral's Provosts should be their President. Over the years most of their conductors have been either Directors or Assistant Musical Directors of the Cathedral Music, and deputy organists and organ scholars have served as their accompanists. The big musical event in the Cathedral Calendar is the Cathedral Festival and the Chelmsford Singers have taken part in this festival on several occasions.


The Chelmsford Singers have had many distinguished and well respected conductors :-

• Mr William Bush the choir's founder.

• Dr. Roland Middleton, the first of a succession of Chelmsford Cathedral Directors of Music to conduct the Chelmsford Singers

• Dr Stanley Vann, a charismatic personality who moved on to Peterborough Cathedral. He is also the founder of the Essex Symphony Orchestra and its current President.

• Derreck Cantrell, who greatly extended the Singers' repertoire. He also conducted the Essex Symphony Orchestra.

• Dr. Philip Ledger who demanded and achieved high standards for the choir and went on to a distinguished career - first at the University of East Anglia, then at King's College, Cambridge and subsequently as Principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. He also conducted the Essex Symphony Orchestra.

• John Jordan, who had a long tenure. On leaving he turned to a globe-trotting career as a roving examiner, and later was organist at King's Lynn parish church.

• David Sparrow has conducted several concerts as well as being deputy conductor. Currently he is deputy conductor of the Essex Symphony Orchestra.

• Graham Elliot whose tenure saw the re-ordering of the Cathedral and the introduction of the annual Chelmsford Cathedral Festival.

• Peter Cross who had often worked with the Singers before his appointment.

• Edward Wellman who was Assistant Director of Music at the Cathedral. He moved on to be Director of Music at St. Peter's Hammersmith.

• Peter Nardone, who was appointed conductor in 2004. He has a background as a professional singer and was previously conductor of The Croydon Bach Choir and the organist of Croydon Parish Church.

Many distinguished soloists have performed with the Chelmsford Singers over the years, including Isobel Baillie, Peter Pears, Janet Baker, Ian Paterson, Robert Tear, John Shirley Quirk and James Bowman.