Elspeth Wyllie takes over as Horsley Choral Society's Musical Director from  1st Sept.

Elspeth enjoys a multi-faceted career as a pianist and choral director - from directing and performing, to teaching, accompanying and workshop leading.

Elspeth’s passion for choral music developed as a rehearsal and concert pianist for several choirs, with a long-term partnership with the Festival Chorus in South London. She was Director of Music at St Paul’s Herne Hill and St Laurence Catford, including working with children, adults and professional choral scholars. She currently leads the Women’s Choir at The Conservatoire, Blackheath, and frequently covers for several South London choral societies.

As a pianist and chamber musician, she has performed throughout the UK and appeared on Classics Unwrapped for BBC Radio Scotland. She is passionate about exploring unjustly neglected repertoire. Her Enigmas album was released by Divine Art Records to critical acclaim: partnering an intimate setting of Elgar’s Enigma Variations for solo piano, with chamber works by 20th-century English composers Rubbra, Leighton and Bowen. The recording featured Elspeth’s closest long-term chamber partners: mezzo-soprano Catherine Backhouse, violist Alexa Beattie and flautist Claire Overbury.

In choral and instrumental settings, Elspeth has enjoyed commissions from and collaborations with several composers, including Bernard Hughes, Colin Matthews, Sally Beamish, Joseph Atkins and Oliver Searle.

Elspeth is delighted to be taking up the musical reins of Horsley Choral Society, and is very grateful to Val Beynon for leaving them in excellent musical shape. She is looking forward to nurturing and challenging the choir in their music-making -  in rehearsals, performances and, of course, as part of the wonderful Leith Hill Music Festival.