Joan Spencer GRSM LRAM Cert Ed
Recently retired as Head of Music at High Storrs School Joan moved north in 2002, and has been involved in music education across the City of Sheffield and in North Derbyshire since relocating to this beautiful area. Involved in music from an early age she moved from Sunderland to London to study Singing and Piano, and after graduating from the Royal Academy of Music settled in Banstead, Surrey until moving north nearer family with her husband Roland. She has taught music locally at both King Ecgbert School and most recently after twelve happy years at High Storrs.
Over the years she has gained a reputation as a choir specialist with youth and adult choirs and has worked locally to encourage singing in schools as a music development teacher with both Sheffield Music Hub and Derbyshire Music Service.
For over 20 years she sang with the ISS, a semi-professional choir linked to the Salvation Army and was their assistant conductor for 12 years. During this time she travelled the world extensively touring Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Zimbabwe and South Africa and all over Europe. In addition to concerts, Joan has sung and directed the choir on numerous CD recordings and featured with the group on TV and Radio broadcasts as well as conducting them solo at the Royal Albert Hall.
She is excited to be appointed as the MD of the Dore Male Voice Choir and is looking forward to developing the creative and technical expertise of this well-established group.
Francis Wells Deputy Music Director
Fran has kindly agreed to join the Choir’s professional team as Deputy Music Director
Francis is a well-respected and talented music director and singer in the Sheffield area.
He came to Sheffield in 1980, having begun his singing career in a church choir near Enfield. He continued to hone his skills at secondary school and university, becoming a much sought-after Baritone. He has sung with the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, The Holly Singers under the direction of Harry Christophers as well as many local choirs.
During the 40 years he has lived in Sheffield he has conducted St. James’s Norton church choir, Escafeld Choral, Cawthorne Choral Society, Sheffield Boys Choir, Bolsterstone Male Voice Choir and Dore Male Voice Choir. Each has had its own challenges and successes and has all flourished under the enthusiastic baton of Francis.
Fran is married to Kathryn, an early year’s teacher and singer in her own right, and has 4 children. He enjoys gardening, cooking for cubs and driving around Europe.
