Musical Director - Ashley Thompson Phoenix Singers © All Rights Reserved.
Having started life in 1982 as the community choir of Leek High School, The Phoenix Singers adopted its present name in 1985. The choir, based in Leek in the Staffordshire Moorlands, has a broad repertoire, performing major choral works, small-scale pieces and contemporary music.
2010 proved to be one of the most exciting years yet. In July 2010 the singers gave the world premier of Gawain and the Green Knight by Barry Russell, a BBC Choral Ambition Commission together with a extraordinary performance of New Gloria – a rock reworking of Vivaldi’s Gloria. The choir’s 2010 Christmas Concert featured the renowned folk artist Johnny Coppin.
The choir often collaborates on innovative projects.
A Millennium award enabled the choir to commission a new work and to invite Joseph Horowitz to accompany his cantata Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo. Recent partnerships include a rare performance of the Indian cantata The Flame Of Lanka, an acclaimed performance of Paul Spicer’s Easter Oratorio with Lichfield Cathedral Choristers and a highly creative association with the New Vic Theatre; members of the choir featured in its productions of Sweeney Todd, Amadeus, The Bat and Don Giovanni. To celebrate its 25th anniversary The Phoenix Singers established "Young Phoenix" for 7-13 year olds, offering local children the opportunity to sing and make music together.
In recent years The Phoenix has rather spread its wings having undertaken exchanges with choirs in Holland and France and performed twice in Este, Leek's twin town in Italy. In November 2009 the choir was delighted to give two concerts in the beautiful city of Granada, Spain alongside El Orfeon de Granada.
The choir has performed with Manchester Camerata alongside the Ceramic City Choir on a number of occasions, most notably The Armed Man, conducted by the composer Karl Jenkins. The Phoenix Singers rehearse on Monday evenings from 7:30 – 9:15 at Leek First School, East Street - new members are always welcome.