One Accord Choir, formerly known as The Pleasure Singers, has been in existence in Horsham, West Sussex for over 50 years. Its members used to meet in the Parish Room in Horsham’s historic Causeway, but later moved to Holy Trinity Church Hall in Rushams Road, Horsham, which is where they continue to rehearse on Wednesday afternoons.
The choir’s original conductor was Mrs Medland and was joined by Tony Wright on the piano. Ursula Haines later took over as choirmistress and ran the choir for several years with the help of her piano accompanist Kath Sainsbury. There were about 15 members in the choir at that time in late 1980.
Under the leadership of choir mistress Dianne Walters and then pianist and director Mark Reeves, the choir steadily increased its membership and repertoire. They also began to perform more regularly in a number of different locations.
After Dianne left, Mark Reeves managed the choir alone for just under 2 years.
During these times strong links were forged with the Horsham Twinning Association and we were invited to sing in Lage, Germany on three occasions and on a visit to Saint-Maixent-L’Ecole in France. We continue to support the Horsham Twinning Association by singing each Christmas at their Carol Concert.
The May 2014 edition of AAH (All About Horsham) Magazine ran an interesting feature on the choir (then known as ‘The Pleasure Singers’). Click HERE to view the magazine online.
In July 2014 the choir were invited to perform the opening act of the third annual Horsham Garden Music Festival.
Following on from Mark Reeves, in 2015 Jon Openshaw took over as the Musical Director. Under Jon’s directorship the choir has been encouraged to learn new vocal techniques and more demanding musical arrangements and the choir’s confidence and enthusiasm has grown. Jenny Jeffery is now the choir accompanist, having joined us in 2021, bringing with her a wealth of experience of accompanying different choirs.
Keep an eye on the Concerts page of this website for details of forthcoming concerts by the choir.
————————————————————–
JON OPENSHAW, BA (Hons), PGCE, ATCL, LTCL.
Jon began singing around the age of ten and sang in various choirs in the Bromley area, where he grew up. While at Sheffield University, Jon spent most of his time developing his singing: he began to perform as a soloist and was also persuaded to direct a small student chamber choir, Socii Cantorum.
Jon then went on to study with English National Opera on their opera course ‘The Knack’. He has since performed with a number of professional opera companies including Garsington Opera, Longborough Festival Opera, Heritage Opera, Opera South and Opera Up Close, and more recently Surrey Opera and Opera South East. Jon continues to study singing privately with Neil Baker, having previously studied with Susan McCulloch, Professor of Voice at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He has gained ATCL and LTCL singing diplomas with Trinity College London.
Jon moved to Horsham in 2012, and teaches singing privately in Horsham. He is keen to hear from anyone who would like to improve their singing – whether beginner or keen performer!
You can find more information here : www.jonopenshaw.co.uk
————————————————————–
JENNY JEFFERY, LRAM
Jenny has played the piano since childhood and, having passed all the graded exams, gained her LRAM diploma in 1985. She has, in the past, worked as an accompanist for Ballet classes and also for West Sussex Music Service accompanying soloists for exams and concerts.
She has, over the years, performed many piano concertos with Lancing Orchestral society and organised and performed recitals in aid of charities with her violinist daughter, Heather.
She has been accompanying choirs for many years and is currently the regular accompanist for One Accord Choir, The Sussex Gruffs Male Voice Choir and The Terry Clough Choir (a mixed choir in Ferring).
She is also actively involved in the church music at All Saints, Findon Valley, Worthing, where she helps with the choir and plays for services.