Drawing of Vale Royal Abbey by Brian Bailey ^© 2001

Vale Royal Singers were formed by Brian Greensill in 1978, following auditions of singers from Cheshire and beyond. Under Brian's directorship the choir achieved a reputation for the precision of their performances and became firmly established as one of the leading chamber choirs in the north of England. When Brian retired in 2001, Roger Wilkes took on the directorship bringing with him a wealth of experience in Early Music but also expanding the range of 20th Century music performed by the choir. Roger introduced new arrangements of 20th Century Popular music and also encouraged the choir to perform pieces written by living local composers. The current Musical Director, Margaret Corlett took over in 2005 and has extended the repertoire to include longer works by Andrew Carter and new collaborations with other local groups.

The Singers are now a versatile group of around 20 friends from all over Cheshire who share an interest in making high quality music together. They enjoy the challenge of singing sacred and secular music in a variety of styles from 16th Century madrigals to 20th century mood music via classic Mozart, the romanticism of the Victorians, the drama of Gilbert and Sullivan and the freshness and simplicity of Britten and Rutter. Performances typically include a variety of accompanied and unaccompanied music, in addition to vocal and instrumental solos.

They are especially pleased to have helped raise funds for worthy causes such as the Chester Cathedral Song School, and charities such as Save the Family and most recently the RNIB.

The Singers take their name from Vale Royal Abbey, near Northwich, the rehearsal venue in their early days, but now rehearse in Kelsall Methodist Church on Monday evenings in term time.