In 1999  Andrew Cregeen approached the Brighton and Hove Concert Orchestra with a view to using larger venues and adding more vocalists to their performances. Concerts in the Hove Centre, & Ralli Hall have included ‘Kaleidescope of Music’, ‘Dreams Of Vienna’ , ‘Those Were The Good Old Days’ and ‘Viennese Rhapsody’ performed to capacity audiences.

ANDREW CREGEEN: Producer:trained as a singer at the Guildhall School of Music, London. He has appeared in pantomime with Ken Dodd, Mike Yarwood, The Seekers and the late Jimmy Clitheroe, Dickie Henderson and Ted Rogers. Andrew has been producing  and putting on shows for over 40 years including,‘The Maid of the Mountains’ ‘Something’s Afoot’ and at   the Brighton Dome ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and at the Palace Pier Theatre ‘Gloria Candy’ a musical co-written by his grandfather, Ralph Butler (part composer of many famous songs including ‘Run Rabbit Run’, ‘The Sun Has Got It’s Hat On’, ‘All By Yourself In The Moonlight’ and ‘Nellie The Elephant’. He was also an Entertainments Manager at a holiday camp on the Isle of Wight. Last year he appeared in an episode of BBC’s ‘My Hero’ and was also Mayor of Telscombe Town Council.

The current principal singers are:

ANN MITCHELL-HOOTEN, soprano: started as a dancer. As past member of the Brighton & Hove Operatic Society she has taken the leading roles in many musicals as well as producing plays. She has produced ‘The Desert Song’, ‘Hello Dolly’, ‘Princess Ida’,and recently ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’. Ann has also taken the leading roles in ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Me and My Girl’, ‘Anything Goes’ and ‘Call Me Madame’. Ann will be producing ‘Kiss Me Kate’ in Worthing at the Pavilion Theatre in March 2004.

TRICIA SHEPHERD: soprano: has been the resident vocalist with the orchestra for the past eight years. Originally a member of the  Worthing Municipal Choir. She regularly takes part in competitive music festivals, with much success, and sings at numerous charity events. Included in her vast repertoire is the 'Laughing Song' from "Die Fledermaus", 'Vilia'  from "The Merry Widow" and many more delightful arias. 

KEVIN STRARNS: tenor: has sung with a number of operatic companies, appeared on Croation TV and with the Fleet Singers in London. Roles have included ‘Don Hose’ [Carmen], ‘Tamino’ [The Magic Flute] and has premiered composer’s songs in the Brighton Festival.

STEPHEN BLOY: tenor: received his early training at Worth School, Sussex followed by tuition from Vivienne Butt in Brighton and  Jeremy Ovenden in London. He studied at Trintity College, London and has appeared at the Festival Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall. Operas include ‘Falstaff’, ‘The Barber of Seville’ and ‘The Abduction of the Seraglio’.

PHILIP ARMSTRONG: baritone:a stalwart member of Seaford Operatic Society who has taken many leading roles with them.  

JANE RICHARDS: has appeared as soloist in many local concerts. She is also a member of the Brighton Consort and has performed with the professional group Musica Secreta in the Brighton Early Music Festival. In 2005 she gave a solo recital at St Paul’s Church, West Street, Brighton. She also appeared in the Wick Theatre Company's musicals 'Honk' and 'Godspell'. 

 

BOB EATON: has entertained on cruise ships and appeared on TV with Roy Hudd and Barry Took in a programme about his hero Max Miller.  

LYN SARKAS: is an Australian and joined the Singers in 2006.  

SYLVIA ELDER: has performed with local companies and is very experienced with musical comedy.

Concert Diary

 

See B&HCO concert programmes for further information on concerts

 More information about the CONCERT SINGERS and Concerts can be obtained from Andrew Cregeen: CregAndrew@talktalk.net