Choir AGM honors late leader, sets Christmas date
Meon Voices Choir reappointed its leadership and commemorated former chair Phil Coundley at its annual general meeting. The group prepares for its December 12 concert while planning its fall rehearsal schedule.
The Meon Voices Choir closed its spring term with a standing-room-only annual general meeting on May 11, reappointing Jane Vose as chair, Wendy Daud as treasurer, and Tracey Tudball as secretary. Emma Dean, the choir’s leader, joined the officers in presenting year-end reports that highlighted sold-out performances across Bishop’s Waltham and neighboring villages.
Tributes poured in for former chair Phil Coundley, who died unexpectedly in April. Both Dean and Vose described Coundley as the choir’s backbone, crediting his leadership during a period of financial uncertainty and his push to expand community outreach. His final project, a fundraiser for local dementia support services, raised £12,000.
📋 By The Numbers
- £12,000 — Amount raised by Coundley’s final charity initiative
- 11 — Villages represented in the choir’s audience base
- 4 — Years since the choir’s founding
The choir’s next chapter begins September 14 with rehearsals at the United Free Church in Bishop’s Waltham, open to new members on a first-come, first-served basis. The waiting list currently holds 78 names, with priority given to those willing to commit to the December 12 Christmas concert at St Peter’s Church.
| Role | 2024 Reappointment | Years in Position |
|---|---|---|
| Chair | Jane Vose | 3 |
| Treasurer | Wendy Daud | 5 |
| Secretary | Tracey Tudball | 2 |
Dean emphasized that Coundley’s legacy lives on in the choir’s revised mission statement, now focused on mental health awareness through music. The group has partnered with Winchester’s Southern Voices for a joint winter performance in February, marking its first collaboration outside Hampshire.
💡 Pro Tip
Arrive 20 minutes early to the September 14 rehearsal to secure a spot—choir members report that the first 30 arrivals fill the front rows, where sound projection is strongest.
Despite the loss of Coundley, the choir’s membership has grown by 18% this year, with 42 new singers joining since January. The group’s social media following tripled after viral videos of its April performance at the Mucky Weekender festival featured a rendition of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now.”
Key Points
- ✅ Jane Vose reappointed as chair after three years in role
- ⚡ Choir raises £12,000 under Phil Coundley’s leadership in final project
- 💡 Rehearsals begin September 14; Christmas concert scheduled for December 12
Dean confirmed that the December concert will include a world premiere of a new choral piece composed by a local teenager, the result of a workshop series held in Bishop’s Waltham schools. The performance will also feature a tribute to Benjamin Britten, aligning with plans by Southern Voices to honor the composer’s centennial.
- September 14 — First rehearsal of the fall term at United Free Church
- October 5 — Open house for prospective members
- December 12 — Christmas concert at St Peter’s Church