The society was first formed in 1971, and began by performing concert versions of the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. In 1981 the society made the transition from concerts to full stage productions at the Pomegranate Theatre in Chesterfield. Almost all of the Savoy Operas have now been performed by the society, some of them several times.  Recent productions have included: the Chesterfield premiere of The Sorcerer in 2002; Yeomen of the Guard in 2003; Patience in 2004; Princess Ida in 2005; The Merry Widow in 2006; Iolanthe in 2007. In October 2008 we will take you to Venice for our production of The Gondoliers.

In addition to our October stage shows, we present two major concerts annually, one at Christmas and one in the Spring, both at the Winding Wheel in Chesterfield. We also participate in other concerts when requested. Charity concerts in recent years have enabled us to support Ashgate Hospice, the RNLI, Samaritans, SSAFA and various other charities.

In 2001 we began a new venture with the formation of the Youth Academy offering young people aged between 8 and 18 training in music, drama and stagecraft.
 

We are a non-profit making society; proceeds from the productions and concerts enable us to make an annual donation to a local charity. At the Spring Concert in April 2007 £1000 was donated to the Chesterfield branch of the Samaritans. A door collection raised a further £330.

In 2006, together with our Youth section, the G&S Academy, we raised over £1700 for Children in Need with a Sponsored Sing and carol singing.

Over the years we have donated well over £30,000 to local, national and, on occasion, international charities.
 

We are affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

    Gilbert and Sullivan has been part of my life for as long as I  can recall.  My mother and father were both avid admirers and I can remember being entranced by Iolanthe at the local municipal hall when I was about 7.  I also remember my dad and I putting on an impromptu rendition of Katisha and The Mikado’s duet to a boarding house full of guests in a very soggy Blackpool when I was about 10, so it seems the thespian streak has always been present.

I joined Chesterfield Gilbert and Sullivan Society shortly after its formation in 1971 as a very young alto.  Following 7 years in London, I moved back to Chesterfield and renewed my acquaintance with the Society in July 1981 just after the staging of The Mikado – its first full stage production.  Following a spell on the committee, I became the Society’s Secretary and held that post for 12 years until 2000.  I have also been the Musical Director’s right hand woman for many years and with a great deal of persuasion, have also accompanied for the occasional rehearsal in the dim and distant past.  During these years I have taken part in almost all of the Society’s concerts and stage productions both as a member of the chorus and a principal performer.

In addition to Gilbert and Sullivan I have a wide taste in music which ranges from Abba and the Beatles through classical and jazz to the Zombies.  I also play the piano and enjoy going to concerts and the theatre, usually in the company of my husband who has always encouraged my musical forays and supported my involvement in the Society.

I am very proud to accept the new challenge of being Chairman of Chesterfield Gilbert and Sullivan Society and hope that I can continue to follow in the footsteps of my predecessor in leading the Society from strength to strength.
 
 

Musical Director - Andrew Marples

After graduating from the University of Reading and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Andrew took up a successful and varied career. He is in great demand as a conductor locally – his current societies and groups include: Chesterfield Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Chesterfield Co-operative Choral Society, Chesterfield G & S Youth Academy and MusicWork. He has been guest conductor with Rotherham Choral Society, Present Company, Sheffield City Opera, and Peak Performance. He led the St. Anselm’s School choir tour to Prague in Summer 2004.

Andrew performs in around 50 concerts a year as either pianist, conductor or singer. Recent theatre performances include Gigi, Oliver, The Boyfriend, The Mikado, Ruddigore, Elixir of Love (at Sheffield Crucible for SCO) The Sorcerer, Yeomen of the Guard, Patience, Oklahoma!, Bugsy Malone, Princess Ida, The Merry Widow (our firstnon-G&S production) and most recently Iolanthe. In recent years he has directed The Wizard of Oz, HMS Pinafore and Half a Sixpence all with the G&S Youth Academy. In October 2008 he will conduct the main society's production of The Gondoliers.

He has conducted many concert works with orchestra including: Gloria (Vivaldi); Gloria (Poulenc); Come ye sons of Art (Purcell); Coronation Anthems & Messiah (Handel); Little Organ Mass (Haydn); Five Mystical Songs (Vaughan Williams); Crucifixion (Stainer); Requiem (Fauré);  Armed Man (Jenkin).

He was a songman at Sheffield Cathedral Choir for 6 years. He has toured with them to Holland, France and the USA and has recorded 6 CDs and made two live broadcasts on BBC Radio 3. His interest in music for youth is well known and he is involved with various Schools’ music festivals and youth concerts in Derbyshire. Most recently he has helped found the G&S Youth Academy in Chesterfield. He co-founded the very successful Saturday lunchtime concerts at Chesterfield library (now in their 18th year) and established a monthly series of concerts at Elder Yard Chapel. He teaches in Bakewell at St. Anselm’s School and has been involved in the Bakewell Arts Festival since its inception as both performer and advisor. For many years he has taught piano to students in the Chesterfield area.

In his leisure time Andrew can be found cheering on his beloved Chesterfield F.C at Saltergate!

Society Accompanist - Chris Flint

Chris's main interest is musical theatre; he got hooked on it when writing and performing the music for plays and pantomimes whilst at school. In 1989 he was asked to play for principal rehearsals for Chesterfield G & S and joined as a singing member in 1991. He became our accompanist in October 2000. In addition to playing for our regular Tuesday rehearsals, he has accompanied our major concerts, and plays orchestral piano for our annual stage production.

His first appointment as official accompanist was with Matlock Gilbert and Sullivan Society in 1992, and in 1993 he started working with Spotlight Theatre Company. Their performance that year of Oklahoma! was Chris's first show as part of an orchestra. The following year they put on Wax, which had only been performed twice before and was written by the 2 founders of the company, James and Andrew Fearn; this was Chris's first experience of conducting. In 1995 their production was West Side Story.

Since then Chris has worked with several companies including Matlock Operatic Society and Bakewell Youth Theatre. In addition to Chesterfield G&S he currently accompanies Chesterfield Co-operative Choral Society and Peak Performance, and is in great demand as an occasional accompanist.

Chris has performed in over 50 shows as singer or pianist, and has been accompanist for numerous concerts.

Rehearsals

Approximately forty members meet weekly. We have a very well stocked library from which music may be borrowed. New singers are welcome in all sections. If you are 16 or over and interested in joining the society you may come along to rehearsals for three weeks, after which you will be asked to undergo an audition. The current annual subscription is £25.
 

Want to know how to become a member? Click here.

Or a patron? Click here.

Are you aged 8 to 18 and interested in our Youth Academy? Click here.

Want to know how to book a seat for our next show or concert? Click here.

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