Ashburton
Singers

One day in 1975, a few weeks before Christmas, a young man who had just finished his music course at Dartington College was talking to Pauline Ballard, a local cellist. He chanced to mention during the conversation that he would like to try some conducting. She said, "Well, start a choir then."

At that time there was little opportunity for choral singing in the area, so he did. In January 1976, half a dozen people with Ray Head as conductor met at Pauline's house and sang. On the 2nd April 1976 the Ashburton Choral Group, later to become the Ashburton Singers, sang in the lovely little church of East Ogwell for Ray's wedding and included parts of Vivaldi's Gloria.

A committee was formed and a constitution drafted. By this time a group of local people started the Ashburton Festival, closely linked with the Singers, with Nicky Marshall as Chairman. Festivals were held from 1980 to 1984, until Nicky left to pursue other activities and Jonathan Watts became conductor. After a few years Jonathan, too, moved on and two people were sceduled to apply for the post. The first was Bridget Ansell and after meeting her the members were agreed; the other was advised not to bother coming - an admirable successor had been found! Bridget continues to this day, and keeps on improving the standards of the choir.

The policy of the choir, expressed in its constitution, is to further the appreciation of music by presenting concerts etc., and to take good music to the audiences, rather than expecting them necessarily to attend formal concerts. In recent years the singers have held 'Summer Tours' of local village churches and other venues including the Camphill Community and senior citizen's facilities and Channingswood prison, without any charge, although all donations towards expenses are welcome.