The Stevenage Male Voice Choir are delighted to welcome Ben Ward as their new Accompanist.

Ben was born in Stevenage and studied Maths at Queens' College, Cambridge, where he played in several concerts and had his introduction to choral accompaniment, leading to a more musical than mathematical life.

He has worked as a pianist and teacher for ten years, accompanying (and occasionally conducting) for choirs and choral societies, ballet classes, theatre groups, school choirs, opera singers and instrumentalists.  He has performed as an organist, a classical guitarist, a rock keyboardist, a piano accompanist, and a concerto soloist.  He holds the Associated Board's diploma in piano performance with distinction.

Ben teaches piano privately in the Stevenage area. His current teaching practice spans all ages from six to 50, and all standards and styles.  He has previously been the regular accompanist for the Merton Singers (in Wimbledon) and the Weald Choir of Crawley.

The SMVC look forward to a long and successful association with Ben and hope he enjoys the camaraderie with all the choir members.

*********************************************

Peter Saunders

It was with great regret that the Chairman and Committee of Stevenage Male Voice Choir accepted the resignation of Peter Saunders from his post of Choir Accompanist, a position which he had held for 33 years. Peter's resignation was due to family commitments and brings to an end a sustained and loyal period of excellent accompaniment. Peter will be sorely missed by us all but we hope that he will maintain contact and perform again with us if his time permits.

During his 33 years as Choir Accompanist the Choir has had eight different conductors. Peter has also been organist at All Saints' Church, St Paul's Walden, for 36 years; this was the venue for the recording by The Stevenage Male Voice Choir of its most recent CD:   "Brothers Sing On"