A SINGING star whose voice was featured on the film score of Harry Potter helped visitors brush up on their singing skills during a special choral open day at St Boniface Church in Bunbury.
Susan Marrs, one of the region’s leading mezzo-soprano soloists and a Fellow of Trinity College of Music in London, was welcomed as a vocal coach to Great Oratorio Choruses – a singing day hosted by Nantwich Choral Society.
The Nantwich-based performer, who also sang on the score of Lord of the Rings and regularly sings at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, led masterclasses covering everything from breathing and posture for good singing to voice projection and performance.
Elizabeth Lea, who has taken over as society chairwoman, said: “The day was a great opportunity for singers of all abilities to work on their singing technique whilst making or renewing their acquaintance with some of the greatest oratorio choruses ever written.
“It was a coup to welcome such an accomplished performer as Susan Marrs. She is much in demand as a vocal coach and gave great encouragement to our visitors.”
More than 70 keen singers from various local choirs and choral societies were led through great works with John Naylor, the society’s music director conducting and Simon Russell, its accompanist, playing the piano and organ.
Mrs Lea, of Alpraham Green, takes over as chairman from Roger Boultbee in the society’s 40th anniversary year.
A singer at school and university, the former doctor added: “Singing is good for you. Members of any society have a common bond which unites them. This applies to singers especially.”
The society, which has more than 100 members drawn from across Cheshire, has several concerts planned during its anniversary year.
A highlight will be a performance of The Messiah with period instruments at St Mary’s Church in Nantwich on November 10 – a work first performed by the society in its founding year of 1972.
For ticket information call Elizabeth Lea on 07858 464383 or visit www.nantwichchoral.org.uk.
