Some Information about us

Essex Chordsmen are a group of men who meet every Monday to rehearse and sing songs in the barbershop style, which is performed without accompaniment, using four part harmomy. We like to take our music to as many different places as we can and we want you to share in the pleasure we derive from our shows!

If you enjoy singing and you think you might like to become a barbershop singer, then click on 'Join Us' for more information.

 

Current Members

TENORS LEADS BARITONES BASSES
Peter Drake Martin Bunting Geoff White Peter Goodyear
Neil Hamper Bob Wood Nick Allies Clive Sutton
Roy Kidd-Stanton Tony Brothers David Worley John Darwent
  Bob Sangwell Colin McGinness Den Foster
  Sid Carter Ron Schofield Geoff Wells
Terry Moore Simon Field Mike Geiger
  David Brown   Ivan Wallis
  Chas. Gyseman   Bryan Ward
  Peter Hughes   Tim Heaslip
  George Lockheart   Paul Williams
  Peter White    
       

 

Officers of the club

 

Chairman Tony Brothers
Musical Director Nick Allies
Assistant Musical Director Geoff White
Assistant Musical Director Martin Bunting
Secretary Neil Hamper
Treasurer Peter Goodyear
Membership Secretary John Darwent
Singout Secretary Dave Worley
Public Relations Officer Dave Worley
Social Secretary Valerie Claydon
Chorus Manager Den Foster
Performance Coach & Librarian Bob Sangwell
Music Committee Chairman    Geoff White
Section Leaders Peter Drake (Tenor)
  Martin Bunting (Lead)
  Geoff White (Baritone)
  Peter Goodyear (Bass)

 

Barbershopper of The Year

Every year, prior to the Annual General Meeting held in October, members are asked to vote for a 'Barbershopper of the Year'. A man who has, in their opinion, contributed most to the chorus in the previous twelve months. There are no nominations. Members simply pick a name from the membership list and return their choice in a sealed envelope. The 'winner' is presented with the BOTY Cup and a certificate of recognition. Holders to date have been as follows:

 

1983 D. McWilliam   1998/9 Martin Baker
1984 D. Turner   1999/0 Terry Moore
1985 K. Bateman   2000/1 John Alcock
1988 Len Snell   2001/2 Brian Shaw
1989 Clive Sutton   2002/3 Terry Moore
1990 Den Foster   2003/4 John Clifford
1991 East Coast Sounds   2004/5 Bryan Ward
1992 Dave Smith   2005/6 John Clifford
1993 Peter Goodyear   2006/7 Geoff Wells
1994 Ron Willis   2007/8 Nick Wright
1995/6 Len Snell   2009 Nick Allies
1996/7 Geoff Wells   2010 Bob Sangwell
1997/8 Ron Pountney   2011 David Worley

 

Testimonials

Here are just some of the comments we have received following recent performances:

 

"Thank you so very much for coming to our special day and making it a truely beautiful and memorable occasion for us. We enjoyed the day so much and carry with us nothing but happy images and memorable anecdotes!! Your singing was amazing and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it."
Laura and Jeremy Spencer who married on 14th January 2012 at St.Mary the Virgin Church, Little Baddow.

"So glad you enjoyed being part of the show........You guys were so great! I loved your performances and managed to watch and listen to all of them.........Such a pleasure having your team on board with your great, great talents, I was in full admiration!"
Sandra Colston, Founder and Musical Director of Funky Voices. October 2011.

"May I take this chance to compliment you and your fellow chorus members on what was a unique and thoroughly enjoyable afternoon when you joined us at Castaways."
James Phillips, Partner, Castaways Entertainment Restaurant. June 2011.

"The Billericay Friends of The Samaritans have asked me to write to you to say thank-you for entertaining us so professionally on Saturday last. The programme was so varied and everyone enjoyed it immensely!"
Mrs M. Davies (Secretary) Friends of The Samaritans, Billericay. April 2011.

"Without exception our members (the audience) thought that the singing was of very high quality, the harmonising was brilliant, the reportoire was excellent and a good night was had by all. We were asked by many of the audience as to when we will have you back to entertain us!"
Bill Tidmas, Chairman, Brentwood and Billericay Group, Essex Wildlife Trust. November 2010

"I write simply to reiterate all the very sincere accolades which were offered to you from all our members........ using the word 'enjoyed' is a gross understatement, for they were thrilled and have demanded of me that you are invited back!"
Robert Bryant, (Leader), Silver Service Club, Salvation Army Temple, Hadleigh. November 2010

"Thanks for the superb show on Thursday evening. The feedback from our members has been wonderfull and I know they would like you to return again........."
Club 55, Great Notley

".......enjoyed your singing and lively presentation and many people were saying how much they enjoyed the group's contribution after the conference. Many thanks for closing our conference on such a great note!......."
Essex Music Services, Colchester