Kinder Choirs hits the high notes with new conductor

A new conductor is set to take Kinder Choirs, one of the most successful young choral organisations in the UK, into an exciting new era.

Emily Cousins brings a wealth of classical and modern choir experience from England, Paris and Denmark to the Buxton-based choirs. She  has performed in concert halls and festivals across Europe, after beginning her choral training as a founder girl chorister at Lincoln Cathedral.

Emily was recently a member of the Nottingham-based Mirabilé Vocal Ensemble, which toured the UK and Italy and won best female choir at the international Llangollen Eisteddfod musical festival in North Wales.

She is also musical director of the Dementia UK choir, comprised of staff and nurses who provide specialist support to those living with dementia, and is currently completing a PhD into arts and dementia research funded by the Alzheimer’s Society. Previously, Emily was musical director of the Springline Choir in Lincolnshire.

Emily takes over the reins as conductor of the award-winning Kinder Choirs in September and will work closely with Joyce Ellis MBE, the founder director.

Emily Cousins said, “I am delighted with this appointment and can’t wait to start working with the children and young adults. Kinder Choirs has a superb reputation and is also a wonderful forum for sharing, laughter and fun. Watching the young people increase their love of singing, build friendships and gain confidence will be the most rewarding aspects of my job”.

Emily will also be joined by new assistant Charlie Perry, a conductor and singer based in the North West. Charlie has sung with numerous choirs, including the Hallé Choir and conducted the Choir of the Holy Name Church in Manchester.

Charlie has been involved in a breadth of musical projects in Manchester, including as chorus master of the University Opera Concert and musical director for the University Musical Theatre Society. He was also managing director for Delicious Theatre’s production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer.

Charlie Perry said, “I’m incredibly excited to be starting with the Kinder Choirs. It’s an amazing group to be involved with and I’m really looking forward to working with and learning from Joyce and Emily in the years ahead.”

Joyce Ellis, founder director of the Kinder Choirs said, “Emily and Charlie bring a huge amount of experience, enthusiasm and energy to the Kinder Choirs. They are both bright, creative talents and will inspire current and new singers across our choirs.”

The internationally renowned Kinder Choirs of the High Peak has singers from age seven to 18 and train at the Uniting Church, Whaley Bridge.  There are no auditions to join, but the opportunity to perform at major events and festivals and share the concert platform with the most accomplished orchestras and singers.

After a successful tour to Normandy this summer, the Kinder Choirs start rehearsals again in September, ready for an exciting concert programme of remembrance and Christmas music.

To find out more about joining the choirs, visit www.kindreschildrenschoirs.org.uk