ABOUT
RYV is a community choir in Wirksworth, formed in 2009, purely for the joy of singing together in harmony.
All singers are welcome to come along, from novices to the more experienced. The sessions run from 7pm - 9pm on most Thursdays at Wellspring in Wirksworth. The fee is £4 per week on a pay-as-you-go basis. Musical director Lester Simpson leads the choir, details below . The choir is made up of four sections, sopranos, altos, tenors and basses. We sing a cappella, learning an eclectic mix of songs in a variety of musical styles from a broad selection of cultures and countries, and most of all, we have FUN!
​
Wellspring is on the corner of St John Street and Wood Street -entry via side door.There is a lift to the first floor space where we shall be singing.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
CONCERTS AND ACTIVITIES
LESTER SIMPSON
An experienced choir and workshop leader, singer, songwriter, professional musician, broadcaster, keen sailor and cyclist, Lester has a wealth of knowledge of folk and other musical genres and he plays a wide variety of musical instruments, from melodeon to ukulele, and bagpipes to egg!
Lester started RYV in 2009 and is currently musical director of three choirs in the region and works with Parkinson's Choir in Derby.
From 1990 to 2018 he sang with the renowned a cappella trio, Coope, Boyes & Simpson, in this country and abroad, particularly in Belgium.
Along with his regular choir commitments, he now concentrates on his solo career with
performances, workshops, songwriting and other theatre and musical productions.
​
​
​
CONCERTS
​
RYV has performed a variety of themed concerts, some as part of the Wirksworth Festival, another with the Derby Girls Choir, and some at local public and private events at venues such as The National Stone Centre, the Northern Light Open Air Cinema and the Lime Kiln. In summers pre Covid, RYV sang along with the Nightingales choir from Waltham House, performing at the local Farmers Market and we do hope this will be possible again soon.
​
RYV in the Wirksworth community celebration 2011
​
FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES
​
