Choral Director

Elspeth is a freelance choral director, experienced in working with adults and children in a variety of settings. She regularly conducts rehearsals for several South London choral societies, covering for Dan Ludford-Thomas, Joanna Tomlinson, Mark Griffiths and Andrew Storey.

Throughout 2023, Elspeth was Director of Music at St Laurence Catford, leading a choir of children, adults, and choral scholars, and a skilled team of organists. The choir is key to the church’s focus on nurturing young people in the local community. Elspeth enjoyed collaborating with the clergy to create many meaningful services melding music and liturgy, including music by Olivia Sparkhall, Amy Beach, and Sarah MacDonald, and a new psalm setting with harp from Bernard Hughes. Several new children and adults joined the choir, and a hugely successful after-school song club was launched at the primary school next door.

Elspeth was Director of Music at St Paul’s, Herne Hill for two years, leading a small and growing choir in weekly services.  Larger numbers of singers were regularly welcomed for memorable Festival services at Christmas and Easter. Other highlights included the installation service for Reverend Ben Goodyear, Evensongs as part of Herne Hill Festival, and producing community recordings for online services during lockdown.

Elspeth was Assistant Musical Director of Clapham’s large, non-auditioning Festival Chorus from 2017 to 2019 (following 11 years as their rehearsal and concert pianist). She devised and conducted whole choir rehearsals, had responsibility for sectionals, and was formally involved in programming.

As well as conducting and leading, Elspeth has 25 years of experience in accompanying and performing with choirs.  From small groups of eight singers, to choral societies of 150 members, Elspeth leads with passion, knowledge and enthusiasm to nurture singers’ confidence, develop vocal technique and enable choral ensembles to flourish.

Professional Development

• Conducting with Joanna Tomlinson, Neil Ferris and Andrea Brown.
• Student at London Conducting Academy (Denise Ham, Dominic Grier, Colin Metters)
• Voice lessons with Bethan Forsey and Stella Arman.

Previous engagements:

• Whitehall Choir
• BBC Symphony Chorus
• Lewisham Choral Society
• Beckenham Choral
• Hackney Singers
• Enfield Choral Society
• Aylesbury Choral Society
• Croydon Male Voice Choir
• Hadley Court Singers
• Music in Offices
• projects with Gareth Malone.

Elspeth is a trusted colleague who is able to take effective rehearsals. She is thorough in her preparation of the choir and does this with a good blend of purpose and humour. I always come back to find the choir in a good place.

Dan Ludford-Thomas

Elspeth is a superb musician and a great colleague. She has kept the choir on their toes… handling all issues with wit, and a steely determination.

Andrea Brown, Choral Conductor.

Elspeth has a perfectly developed sixth sense. She knows what will help the singers before anything is said. 

Peter Dannheiser, choral singer.