Andy Smith
Musical Director
Andy grew up in Hertfordshire before moving to Tamworth over 20 years ago with his career in Barclays Bank. He started playing the piano at age 5 followed shortly after by the trumpet and has been playing ever since, concentrating on the piano since his late teens. He studied at the Royal College of Music in London on a Saturday Junior Scholarship between the ages of 11 and 18 culminating in obtaining his diploma. He decided that a professional music career was not for him preferring to enjoy it as a hobby. He has many years’ experience having worked with a number of Amateur Operatic societies in the home counties as both Accompanist and Musical Director for musicals and stage shows. He has also played keyboard in bands varying in style from ceilidh to rock.
Andy joined the then Tamworth Male Voice Choir some 13 years ago as Accompanist, before taking over as Musical Director in 2009. He led the transition of the choir from Male Voice to Mixed Voice during 2017 and is delighted at how successful the development of Mercian Singers has been over the last 2 years and is looking forward to continuing to develop and expand the new repertoire.
Andy was delighted to be appointed accompanist with Tamworth Ladies Choir in March 2019. He also teaches piano to private students.
Andy is married to Katie (a soprano in Mercian Singers) and has two grown up daughters, Beki, a Dance Teacher and Tam who is far more interested in playing for her football team than music!
Andy joined the then Tamworth Male Voice Choir some 13 years ago as Accompanist, before taking over as Musical Director in 2009. He led the transition of the choir from Male Voice to Mixed Voice during 2017 and is delighted at how successful the development of Mercian Singers has been over the last 2 years and is looking forward to continuing to develop and expand the new repertoire.
Andy was delighted to be appointed accompanist with Tamworth Ladies Choir in March 2019. He also teaches piano to private students.
Andy is married to Katie (a soprano in Mercian Singers) and has two grown up daughters, Beki, a Dance Teacher and Tam who is far more interested in playing for her football team than music!
Sarah Ennis
Accompanist
Sarah is originally from Hampshire, where she began her piano, violin and vocal studies at school but, has lived in the Midlands since coming to Birmingham University to study Music and Education. She first came to Tamworth as Head of Music at Woodhouse School.
Following a career break to have her two (now grown up) sons she spent 23 years as Director of Music at Dixie Grammar School, Market Bosworth until her recent retirement. During that time she built up the musical life of the school, which is now well-known for the standard of its choirs and instrumental groups as well as the regular school musical productions and numerous concerts each year. She also acted as International Co-ordinator and established musical exchange links with schools in China and Hungary.
For many years she conducted the Tamworth Junior Choir as part of the Staffordshire Music Service. She is a long-standing member of the CBSO Chorus and with them has enjoyed performing with the CBSO in Symphony Hall, at The Proms and on tour at many international concert venues all over the world.
She was delighted to be appointed as permanent accompanist of Mercian Singers in March 2019, the choir have made her feel very welcome and has enjoyed the challenge of learning their extensive repertoire.
Following a career break to have her two (now grown up) sons she spent 23 years as Director of Music at Dixie Grammar School, Market Bosworth until her recent retirement. During that time she built up the musical life of the school, which is now well-known for the standard of its choirs and instrumental groups as well as the regular school musical productions and numerous concerts each year. She also acted as International Co-ordinator and established musical exchange links with schools in China and Hungary.
For many years she conducted the Tamworth Junior Choir as part of the Staffordshire Music Service. She is a long-standing member of the CBSO Chorus and with them has enjoyed performing with the CBSO in Symphony Hall, at The Proms and on tour at many international concert venues all over the world.
She was delighted to be appointed as permanent accompanist of Mercian Singers in March 2019, the choir have made her feel very welcome and has enjoyed the challenge of learning their extensive repertoire.