Windsor Soundswell Choir - News/Events
Keep on singing!
Rosemary Arber with singing teacher Chloe Spencer
If ever there was living proof of the benefits of singing it is great-grandmother Rosemary Arber. She joined our choir in her seventies and has now passed her first singing exam at the age of 87.
Rosemary, of Bell View Close, Windsor, likes nothing better than a challenge. In a full and varied life, she joined the WRAF at 17, and worked in the Foreign Office, the BBC, and as Berkshire County Council’s Youth and Communities Officer for Windsor and the surrounding area.
On retirement, indefatigable as ever, she ran a B&B in Windsor with friend Diana Airey, as well as charring and driving a van. She took on new projects with gusto, including devising and producing the annual End of the Year show at Windsor’s Theatre Royal, helping backstage with Windsor Theatre Guild, and organising - and running with - Running Sisters groups until her mid-seventies. Twelve years ago, Rosemary, who had only “sung lullabies” for her two sons, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, joined Windsor Soundswell. She nearly gave up when she started having trouble with her voice but singing teacher Chloe Spencer, advised her to switch from alto to soprano, and has kept Rosemary singing ever since.
Rosemary said: “Chloe is so brilliant as a teacher, really encouraging, patient and enthusiastic, and takes no end of trouble to find ways of helping me to continue singing.”
Chloe knew Rosemary loved a project and after she had passed a Grade 1 music theory exam with a group from Windsor and District u3a, suggested she try for a singing exam.
Rosemary can’t sight read but it is not required for the ABRSM’s new Singing, Performance, exam. With our music director, Dr Guy Bunce, as accompanist, Rosemary was videoed singing four songs and achieved a pass at Grade 5.
Chloe said: “Keeping the voice working easily well into its ninth decade is no mean feat. Rosemary’s dedication to preserving and improving her singing voice is quite an inspiration, and I wish more of my younger students would take note! Her tenacity, natural ear for music and her performance skills make her an absolute joy to teach.”
Rosemary, of Bell View Close, Windsor, likes nothing better than a challenge. In a full and varied life, she joined the WRAF at 17, and worked in the Foreign Office, the BBC, and as Berkshire County Council’s Youth and Communities Officer for Windsor and the surrounding area.
On retirement, indefatigable as ever, she ran a B&B in Windsor with friend Diana Airey, as well as charring and driving a van. She took on new projects with gusto, including devising and producing the annual End of the Year show at Windsor’s Theatre Royal, helping backstage with Windsor Theatre Guild, and organising - and running with - Running Sisters groups until her mid-seventies. Twelve years ago, Rosemary, who had only “sung lullabies” for her two sons, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, joined Windsor Soundswell. She nearly gave up when she started having trouble with her voice but singing teacher Chloe Spencer, advised her to switch from alto to soprano, and has kept Rosemary singing ever since.
Rosemary said: “Chloe is so brilliant as a teacher, really encouraging, patient and enthusiastic, and takes no end of trouble to find ways of helping me to continue singing.”
Chloe knew Rosemary loved a project and after she had passed a Grade 1 music theory exam with a group from Windsor and District u3a, suggested she try for a singing exam.
Rosemary can’t sight read but it is not required for the ABRSM’s new Singing, Performance, exam. With our music director, Dr Guy Bunce, as accompanist, Rosemary was videoed singing four songs and achieved a pass at Grade 5.
Chloe said: “Keeping the voice working easily well into its ninth decade is no mean feat. Rosemary’s dedication to preserving and improving her singing voice is quite an inspiration, and I wish more of my younger students would take note! Her tenacity, natural ear for music and her performance skills make her an absolute joy to teach.”
Windsor Soundswell Choir, under the leadership of Guy Bunce, continues to sing on Tuesdays from 7.30-9.30pm.
The choir is open for all those who enjoy singing - no musical knowledge or auditions required. Just come along and sing a wide variety of music.
We meet every Tuesday during term time (except for half-term).
The fee is £90 per 12 week session.
Here are the dates for the next terms:
Autumn term: 9th Sept - 21 Oct,
half term 28th Oct
4th Nov - 9th Dec
Spring term 2026: 6th Jan - 10th Feb
half term 17th Feb
24th Feb - 24th March
Summer term 2026: 14th April - 19th May
half term 26th May
2nd Jun - 7th July
We meet at: Trevelyan Middle School, Wood Close, Windsor, SL4 3LL (free parking available in the school car park).
Events of interest:
13/12/2025 Windsor Soundswell Choir Christmas concert, Old Court Windsor
History:
23/04/2016 Windsor Soundswell Singing Workshop - Flyer + More info
21/04/2018 Windsor Soundswell Singing workshop at Oakfield School, Windsor
07/07/2018 Summer Prom & Picnic Concert in Egham (WSC +NES)
11/12/2018 Windsor Soundswell Christmas Concert, Old Court Windsor
10/12/2019 Windsor Soundswell Christmas Concert @ the Old Court in Windsor
03/12/2022 Windsor Soundswell Christmas Concert, Old Court Windsor
02/12/2023 Windsor Soundswell Christmas Concert, Old Court Windsor
14/12/2024 Windsor Soundswell Christmas Concert, Old Court Windsor