The choir was formed as the Shepshed Singers in the late 1970s as a community choir at Hind Leys Community College led by music teacher Howard Marriott. Subsequent music teachers, Norman Peate then Shauna Kelham led the choir, followed by Andrew Goff, who had been the accompanist.
Under Andrew’s direction the choir grew both in number and ambition and it gained a reputation for performing neglected and unfamiliar music, both sacred and secular.
Andrew’s successor, in 2014, was Richard West, then Head of Music at Loughborough Endowed Schools, followed by Nicholas Scott-Burt in 2015. The choir became Charnwood Voices in 2016, the name chosen to reflect the choir’s musical presence across the Borough of Charnwood.
After 8 years leading Charnwood Voices, Nicholas left the choir in early 2024, to be succeeded by Eleanor Graff-Baker.
Since the late 1990s the choir has organised singing tours to venues across Europe and in the UK. Shorter visits to cathedrals in England have also been a part of the choir’s activities. In addition, from 2013 onwards, the choir has presented a Come and Sing workshop in January each year in Trinity Methodist Church, Loughborough. These days have become very popular with singers from areas within and outside Leicestershire, usually attracting 100 or more participants.
