THE SUSSEX SONG MAKERS
Singing and Poetry
We are an ambitious, Eastbourne-based all-female choir that has been performing together in Sussex, London and beyond since 2014.
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Come and hear us perform
Our concert programme for 2020
The Sussex Song Makers perform in a variety of different venues and locations both in and around Sussex but also beyond. This is a list of our recent scheduled appearances but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are not able to reveal our 2020/2021 schedule. We look forward to seeing you again once venues begin to re-open.
Towner Art Gallery, Eastbourne
April 5th, 2.30pm
The Sussex Song Makers will be performing at Eastbourne's amazing new concert space at the recently-completed Towner Art Gallery in central Eastbourne. Tickets available from the Gallery box office on 01323 434670.
Bexhill Festival of Music
June 1st, 7.30pm
We will be performing an evening of music and poetry at St Peter's Church in Bexhill. Free entry with Donations towards Bexhill Festival of Music, St Peters & Sussex Song Makers.
Bexhill Festival of Music
June 21st, 7pm
We will be performing an evening of music and poetry in tribute to Oscar Wilde at a medieval manor barn near the town centre. Tickets from the festival box office.
Concert at Danny House
September 9th, 7pm
This concert is to take place at the retirement apartments development within Danny House, a prestigious manor house near Hurstpierpoint in West Sussex
St Mary's Church, Eastbourne
October 19th, 7pm
We will be performing an evening of poetry and music at St Mary's Church in Eastbourne. Free to attend - collection after event.
"An enchanting concert at a divine venue - Sussex Songmakers with their superb vocal skills contributed to an outstanding Brandenburg Choral Festival - what a privilege to be there - THANK YOU - I have been to their concerts before and enjoyed it immensely but last night's interpretation of Greensleeves was flawless and the rest of the programme 10/10".
Biljana Tesic, May 2017
Our story so far
In 2014 Elizabeth Muir-Lewis decided to form an all female group of singers.
Fortunately she acquired some fine voices, and since they joined together, the programming has grown to be a very good audience filler, and to give the singers a chance to show their talents.
Perhaps what makes this group stand out is that the conductor decided to mix poetry with music. This is proving to be a winning combination with audiences.
The Sussex Song Makers' repertoire includes A Capella, early music, and 20th century.
The programmes are mixture of ensembles, solos, duets and poetry,which are read by experienced speakers.
2018 will be the third visit to the prestigious Brandenburg choral festival in London, talking place in the wonderful actors church in Covent Garden, St Pauls.
This year the Sussex Song Makers will open the Bexhill Festival of Music on May 25th in the Parish Church of St Peters.
The Sussex Song Makers has attained a highly professional standard, singing in many languages, and tackling music that tests their musicianship.
Reviews
Eastbourne choir boosts mural fund
"Small – most certainly. Trivial – not a bit of it. The pairing of Berwick Church and the Sussex Song Makers was an embrace of nigh celestial proportions."
Accolade for choir
“The group performed a programme of a capella and other part song pieces. They performed “superbly,” with Shirlene Billinness and Julia McBain singing their solos with great beauty."
Elizabeth Muir-Lewis
Elizabeth Muir-Lewis ARCM, HonARAM Hon LARAM was an international singer, performing for Georg Solti, appearing in the Carnegie Hall, the Purcell Room, Wigmore Hall, the Festival Hall, most European Festivals and the BBC.
After her singing career was over she founded and conducted Eastbourne Choral Society, taking them on three European tours, and performing most major works, not least, dramatising Mendelssohn's "Elijah" and Bach's "St Matthew Passion"
After ten years with the choir she handed the baton over. Not long after she founded her lovely all female vocal ensemble "The Sussex Song Makers"
Elizabeth also runs a nation wide agency for speakers, as well as teaching voice. She is the mover behind the prestigious "Richard Lewis Award" for young singers which is held at The Royal Academy of Music. This award of £17.000 is in memory of her late husband, Richard Lewis (International tenor)
The Singers
Shirlene Billenness
Soprano
Sandra Grusd
Soprano
Wendy Dovey
Soprano
Janet Togut
2nd Soprano
Mary Reilly
2nd Soprano
Jenny Beckwith
Accompanist/2nd Soprano
Amanda Sheehan
Alto
Annie Sivers
Alto
Annie France Jackson
Alto
Sarah Potter
Mezzo