Welcome to The Heart of England Singers
The Heart of England Singers is an enthusiastic group of amateur, unauditioned singers who meet weekly, during term-time, to learn masterpieces of the choral repertoire, enjoying both the music-making and each other’s company.
The Society was originally formed in 1975, and will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in September 2025.
Rehearsal Address
Review of Vivacious VIVALDI concert on 13 May 2023.
Classical music isn’t my first love. I’m more of a Pete Tong & Disco kind of guy. However. I do have a collection of set of old classical music CDs, and if I had to choose a preference it would be Vivaldi (honestly).
The Vivacious VIVALDI concert on the 13th May this year was a both entertaining & up-lifting. The Solihull Chandos Choir and, of course, The Heart of England Singers did the concert justice. Well done to all.
PS. I’m going to a Pete Tong Heritage concert in November. Dance music with a classical theme. Maybe even some Vivaldi…
We rehearse on a Monday evening 7.30 – 9.30pm at
The Baptist Free Church
Land Lane
Marston Green
Birmingham
B37 7DE
Become a Member
How much does it cost to become a choir member?
Subscriptions per person per term are £40. Our terms coincide with the education system, Spring, Summer and Autumn.
All music is provided, but we do ask at times that some is purchased.
The second term of membership is free for prospective members.
We would love some new singers to join us and share our enjoyment of singing!
Come and try us out for a few rehearsals to see how you get on.
We are happy to see you if you would like to try out singing in a choir for the first time, or you might be a bit rusty and want to come back to singing.
If you are interested in joining this lively and friendly group of singers there is no audition.
New members are invited to complete the application form below
New Member Application
Member Information
Subscriptions per person
Per term £40. All music is provided, but we do ask at times that some is purchased or a fanancial contribution to the hire fees.
If you require any assistance in this matter please contact the Treasurer: hoestreasurer0@gmail.com
Registered Charity No. 1041780
The Heart of England Singers rehearse on Monday evenings from 7.30pm – 9.30pm at the Baptist Free Church, Church Lane, Marston Green, B37 7DE (A-Z reference 1H 93) where secure parking facilities are available.
Our year runs from September to July, with short breaks for Christmas and Easter. We have an open door policy to new members, young and not so young, who are always welcome – there are no auditions. All we ask is a love of singing and choral music, enthusiasm and commitment to our rehearsals and performances. Absolutely anybody can come along to give us a trial.
Member News
Tenors needed…
We at Heart of England Singers are constantly looking for new members. We particularly need a few more Tenors. If you are a Tenor and fancy joining us for a few rehearsals to see if you like us, then please get in touch.
Review of Summer Concert July 2023. Shaken not Stirred!
We were delighted to welcome you to our Summer Concert at St Philip’s Church, Dorridge. This was our first visit to this wonderful venue and hopefully not our last. We presented our medley of songs from Stage and Screen. Our first medley, Les Miserables took you to...
The Heart of England Singers History
The Society was formed in September 1975 as the Chelmsley Wood Choral Society as an Adult Education Class at Whitesmore School under the leadership of Stuart J Gill the then Director of Music for Solihull Schools. The intention was to bring some culture to Chelmsley...
About Us
Contact Us
Committee Information
Committee Members:
Musical Director – Michelle Norton
President – Margaret Croucher
Chair – Melanie Coton – hoeschairman@gmail.com
Vice Chair – Geoff Thompson
Treasurer – Martyn Atkinson – hoestreasurer0@gmail.com
Secretary – Karen Moulton
Librarian – Ruth Hockley
Section Representatives –
Sopranos – Mary Timms
Altos – Jan Probert
Tenors – Alan Spiers
Basses – Dave Abbott
Various other positions not on the committee:
Accompanist – Ruth Low
Concert Manager – Alan Spiers
Publicity – Stephen Record
Past Chair – Karen Moulton until October 2024
Welcome to our new Musical Director
Michelle Norton
A family background in the Salvation Army means that I have been immersed in music since birth. At 4 years old my parents paid for me to have private music lessons (they were fed up with me talking and wanted me to have something else to occupy me!) where I learnt how to read music by playing the recorder. I moved on to the clarinet again with private tuition. I auditioned for the 2nd County Windband in Bedfordshire. I was accepted and worked my way up to the top seat within a couple of years. I taught myself to play the piano when I was quite young. After being shown where middle C was there was no stopping me. Both hands were duly accomplished. With all of this musical knowledge, at the age of 12, I won a junior scholarship to London’s Trinity College of Music to study clarinet and piano.
I have worked with a number of Salvation Army choirs and Community choirs in and around the Home Counties for the past 40 years, and in 2019 under my leadership the Dagnall Community Choir became award winners in the Milton Keynes Music Festival. I have now moved to Leicestershire where I took up the post of the MD for Hinckley Choral Union in September 2021, a job that I hope will continue for many years to come. I now add Heart of England Singers to my portfolio and I look forward to working with them.
I am a Grade 8 (ABRSM) distinction singer, currently preparing for the new FRSM Diploma. I am an accomplished singing teacher and have a 100% pass rate with students that have taken exams. I teach all ages and to date that ranges from 9 to 74, with many inbetween.
I also enjoy performing as a soloist at any given opportunity.
I work full time as the Finance Business Partner for the 23 Catholic Schools in Leicestershire and Rutland.
Welcome to our new Accompanist
Ruth Low
I have always enjoyed accompanying soloists and musical groups and over the years have taken on this role with Peterbrook Players, Chanterelle Ladies Choir and also supported various others with rehearsals, concerts and exams.
I am looking forward to making music with Heart of England Singers.
Patrons / New Patrons
Founded in 1975, the Heart of England Singers will soon be celebrating the 50th anniversary enlightening audiences with traditional and also less familiar repertoire.
Become a Patron of The Heart of England Singers
If you don’t wish to join the choir to sing, you can still support the choir by becoming a Patron.
Thank you for being a patron for Heart of England Singers.
Your contribution is vital in helping us to fund our performances, and we are very grateful for your continued support.
Any donations made by cheque should be sent to the address shown for Christine Walker, made payable to ‘Heart of England Singers’.
You can also make your donation by BACS as follows:
Account Name: Heart of England Singers
Sort Code: 30-92-18
Account No. 00141297
Thank you.
Registered Charity No. 1041780.
Become a Patron
Boost your donation by 25p of Gift Aid for every £1 you donate
Gift Aid is reclaimed by the charity from the tax you pay for the current tax year. Your address is
needed to identify you as a current UK taxpayer.
Send Donations (cheques) to:
Christine Walker
Patrons Secretary
253 Coleshill Heath Road
Marston Green
Birmingham
B37 7HY
Upcoming Concerts
Easter Concert
23rd March 2024. 7.30pm.
Perform Fauré Requiem
Musical Director – Michelle Norton
Organist – James Banville
We hope you can join us at Coleshill Parish Church.
Tickets are now availalble
Summer Concert
13th July 2024. 7.30pm.
Perform a summer programme
Musical Director Michelle Norton.
We hope you can join us at Digbeth-in-the-Field URC Church
Tickets will be available in the near future.
Autumn Concert
9th November 2024. 7.30pm.
Programme to announced
Musical Director Michelle Norton.
More information to follow.
Christmas Concert
14th December 2024. 7.30pm.
Musical Director Michelle Norton.
Concert Dates for 2025
12th April 2025 – Easter Concert
12th July 2025 – Joint concert BWMFS
15th November 2025 – Our 50th Anniversary Concert
13th December 2025 – Christmas Concert
Past Concerts 2013 Onwards
Our past performances have included:
Review of Summer Concert 8th July 2023.
An evening of music from Stage and Screen was enjoyed by all.
It was nice to see soloists from the choir enjoy performing their own parts.
Song Squad were a joy to listen to, what a Fantastic Talented Group of young people. I look forward to hearing them again. Well done to all.
- 2013 – Saint Nicolas by Benjamin Britten
- 2013 – Touch of Basil 2013
- 2014 – The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins
- 2014 – Summer Concert various pieces
- 2014 – Touch of Basil 2014
- 2014 – Brahms Requiem in English
- 2015 – A Choral Kaleidoscope various pieces
- 2015 – Joint concert of Opera with Horsforth Choral Society
- 2015 – Songs for the Summer
- 2015 – Touch of Basil 2015
- 2015 – Messiah
- 2015 – Christmas Carol Concert
- 2016 – Gloria by Vivaldi
- 2016 – Gloria by Martin Bates
- 2016 – Summer Concert
- 2016 – Touch of Basil 2016
- 2016 – Viva Britannia
- 2016 – Joy to the World
- 2017 – Haydn’s Creation
- 2017 – Touch of Basil 2017
- 2017 – A Winter Celebration
- 2018 – Easter Concert Celebrating 100 years of Great Choral Music
- 2018 – A Concert of Music from the Shows
- 2018 – Touch of Basil 2018
- 2018 – Peace on Earth Christmas Concert
- 2019 – Mendelssohn’s Elijah
- 2019 – Something Old, Something new various pieces
- 2019 – Touch of Basil 2019
- 2019 – Beatus Vir by Monteverdi with music from Mozart and Purcell
- 2019 – Songs for Christmas
- 2022 – Reflections a special concert conducted by Margaret Croucher in memory of Martin Bates
- 2022 – Touch of Basil 2022 for Martin
- 2022 – Magnificent Magnificat by John Rutter
- 2023 – Vivacious Vivaldi with Chandos Choral Society (Pictured)
- 2023 – Songs from the Shows (Pictured)
- 2023 – Christmas Concert
Photo Gallery
Chandos – May 2023
