Francis Wells  Music Director

Francis has been taking our rehearsals, and indeed took us through most of our Concerts to date, sharing the rostrum with Elizabeth during her illness and overseas tour to Sicily.

The Choir has been most fortunate and is very grateful for Fran’s guidance, tuition, and work; in helping us progress with our music. Fran has kindly agreed to join the Choir’s professional team as Deputy Music Director until we can engage a full-time replacement for Elizabeth.

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.

Mackenzie Paget Accompanist     

Welsh concert pianist Mackenzie Paget has an extremely diverse career as a working pianist. Having graduated with distinction in a master’s in pianism from the Royal Northern College of Music, Mackenzie has sought to expand his scope of musical strengths further, into the likes of ballet pianism and teaching. He regularly gives recitals in both solo and chamber format around the country, such as regular visits to Newport Cathedral in South Wales and Rochdale Parish Church for various Saturday afternoon recitals. Mackenzie and violinist Laura Embrey often perform and compete nationally.

Mackenzie excels in his accompaniment for ballet, with weekly visits to Pineapple studios in Covent Garden to play for classes. This side of pianism is entirely unique from vigorous and formal training at the RNCM, and allows Mackenzie to express music from a different place in his musical ecosystem. Complimented for his diverse and improvisatory repertory, he strongly believes ballet pianism will primarily fill his career in the future.

Sought after for his pedagogical skills, Mackenzie has helped many students gain some of the highest marks in the region, and gain places at prestigious music schools such as Chethams School of Music. He continues to inspire the future generation of musicians at Terra Nova School in Cheshire, where he is a member of the piano faculty.

Mackenzie is extremely grateful for the continuing support of the Dore Male Voice Choir, notably their contribution to fees for his master’s degree at the Royal Northern College of Music.

PRESIDENT: Lesley Garrett CBE

Lesley Garrett CBE is Britain’s best-known soprano, regularly appearing in opera, music theatre, concerts, on television and on CD. For more than 30 years she has enjoyed one of the most successful and idiosyncratic careers of any modern-day, classically trained soprano, winning both critical acclaim and the affection of many fans and music lovers through the breadth and diversity of her work. Internationally Lesley has performed throughout Europe, the USA, Australia, Russia, Brazil, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and South Korea. The Choir is delighted that Lesley has agreed to be our President

VICE PRESIDENTS: Sheila Bramah, Vivien Pike

HONORARY MEMBERS: A. Jordon, G. Winslow, M. Stobbs

CHOIR MEMBERS