Our Musical Director is Alex Waterman who joined us in 2024. Alex is a first study flautist with a background in music education. She completed her BMus (Hons) at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, studying with Susan Milan. Professionally, she was a classroom music teacher in secondary schools until 2024. She is currently a private flute and piano tutor, with pupils aged 7-17. In addition to experience of playing in and conducting orchestras, Alex has 15+ years of choral singing experience and has been studying classical singing for 2 years. She has been MD and conductor for a number of choirs, orchestras and stage productions.
Our accompanist is Peter Bailey who joined us in 20-24. Peter was born and educated in Gillingham, Kent. His passion for music was encouraged by his parents from an early age and developed by singing in a church choir and appearing on stage in Chatham in “Oliver!” the musical, aged 11. At school he learned violin and piano and in his late teens composition at Morley College in London. After graduating with a music degree and working for the London Philharmonic Orchestra for several years, Peter returned to the Medway Towns where he has taught classroom music in schools and worked as a peripatetic piano teacher and freelance accompanist. Peter has also been musical director for several local choirs and amateur dramatic societies performing in Medway, Maidstone and Gravesend theatres.
Our Deputy Conductor is Lynne Bunce. Lynne has been singing since the age of 9. She was taught by Sheila Mossman who was Musical Director of the Orpington Junior Singers (OJS). Lynne sang with OJS in concerts, festivals and large competitions until Sheila’s death in 1972, then sang with a small group from OJS until she moved to Medway in 1978. She has been singing with Rainham Ladies, with a couple of breaks, since the late 1970s, becoming Assistant Conductor in 2009.
PAST MD AND ACCOMPANIST
Simon Tatnall was our Musical Director between 2014 and 2023. He studied singing with Dennis Wicks and Mary King. His roles include: The Count (Marriage of Figaro), Sharpless (Madame Butterfly), Pluto (Orpheus in the Underworld), Dandini (Cinderella) and the title roles in Don Giovanni, The Marriage of Figaro, The Barber of Seville and The Gypsy Baron. He created Mantissa Opera in 2001 and as Director he organizes the concerts and runs workshops in schools. He studied conducting with Daryl Runswick at Trinity College of Music and formed the Cantium Singers in 1996, now a 70 strong community choir.
Janet Stone was our brilliant accompanist from 2002 until 2023. She studied organ with Richard Popplewell and piano accompaniment with Joan Trimble at the Royal College of Music. She has held various posts in churches as Director of Music, regularly accompanied soloists and choirs and taught music in a wide variety of schools. Now retired, Janet continues to be involved in many musical activities.
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