Just Midnight…...just voices
John F (aka ‘Finn’ ) was born in Liverpool and is proving to be a very valuable member of Just Midnight. Not only is he quick to learn new songs, but he also makes delicious mince pies! Although new to ''a capella'' singing, John has sung and played guitar in a 4-piece ‘rock / pop’ band since 1985 who have entertained at a variety of functions ( in pubs, clubs, hotels etc. ) all over the North West. His biggest ambition was (and probably still is! ) to become accomplished on pianoforte and to that end has attended lessons on at least 8 different attempts from the age of 8 upwards, but alas to no avail – too many notes, too few fingers!
Andy is a member of so many different singing groups it’s a wonder he has time for us! However we are very grateful for his musical talent, cheerful attitude - (he’s one of the gigglers in the goup!) and his ability to source some interesting songs for our repertoire. (To say nothing of the fact that he can always be relied on to bring refreshments to our rehearsals!) Andy is Deputy MD and Chair of Ordsall Acapella Singers www.ordsallsingers.co.uk as well as a member of the L & G choir based in Manchester.
Madeline - with a wealth of vocal coaching experience, Madeline can always be relied upon to ensure we produce the best sound possible! Madeline first sang on the David Lewis Theatre at the age of 5 in Liverpool. She has directed and coached men and women's choirs in England and Holland to National Championship standard. A founder member of Just Midnight, Madeline is loving the experiment of singing with men and women in the same group, discovering what music suits all the voices, with arrangements between 4 and 8 part harmony. Just Midnight sang at her daughter's wedding where all her young friends and travellers from Japan, Norway, Germany and Kenya adored their eclectic mix of songs.
Carolyn - an established ‘lead’ singer, is the ‘style queen’ of the group - someone who could wear a paper bag and still look fantastic! Married to fellow Just Midnighter Chip, Carolyn was vocally trained at Chethams School of Music in Manchester and is passionate about all genres of music, especially accapella. She has sung with several close harmony groups over the past 17 years at a variety of interesting venues, her most memorable being a singing Convention where she met her husband Chip 14 years ago. Her other hobbies are cooking, theatre and anything supernatural.
Sue B - In the early 90’s Sue began singing on a regular basis when she joined Crystal Chords. A couple of years later and looking for more of a challenge, she joined forces with three other like minded members of the chorus and formed a quartet called ‘Fortune’, enjoying success at local music festivals as well as entertaining various groups in the Cheshire area. One of their more unusual gigs was singing a ‘mile of music’ in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support! When not singing or working, Sue loves gardening, cooking for friends, working out in the gym and going for long walks.
Sue H - with a bubbly personality and great musical ability, Sue 2 or SooBoo as she is more commonly known started singing as a schoolgirl in Wales. Sue loves harmony singing and also sings with Milltown Chorus. She has a career as a music teacher in Knowsley and it was her love of singing that led to this career choice. Before joining the ‘JM ers’ and until recently she was the director of a barbershop group and JM has fulfilled her passion to sing again with her face, not her back to the audience! Apart from singing and working Sue spends her time nurturing her two teenagers, finding new coffee shops and of course shopping.
Chip sings the tenor line and is married to fellow Just Midnighter Carolyn. He has an eclectic dress sense and an amazing collection of frames for his glasses! Chip comes from an extremely musical background, his father directed many male choirs back in the USA. Chip was privileged to be able to sing with America's Number one male chorus The Vocal Majority from Dallas Texas. On a tour of the UK he met Carolyn, who is now his wife. Chip's claim to fame is singing for the President, supporting Frankie Valli, The Four Freshmen and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Apart from singing, his main career in the USA was as an Olympic springboard diving coach.
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Paul - After a stint in New Zealand we were pleased to welcome Paul back to Just Midnight. An experienced singer who has sung in quartet with fellow Just Midnighter Ed as well as with the medal winning barbershop chorus Cotton Town Chorus.
Tim - Originally from Lincoln Tim started singing accapella after accepting a challenge laid down here in the North West after one too many beers! Seventeen years of singing bass in barbershop flowed from there starting with Preston's Red Rose Chorus and then membership of Bolton's Cotton Town Chorus. Tim has also enjoyed competing in quartet competitions and it was at one such competition he was invited to audition for Just Midnight. Miraculously he passed and has been trying to prove it wasn't a mistake ever since!
Christine - the ‘baby’ of the group, is a talented musician and singer (although she’s too modest to say so herself!) with a wide vocal range who helps to ensure that everyone is singing the right notes! More importantly, she also helps to ensure that all the biscuits and cake that are brought to rehearsal are polished off so there’s no risk that anybody will have to take the leftovers home! In a previous life Christine played the oboe with Liverpool Youth Orchestra and Merseyside Youth Orchestra. When not singing with Just Midnight, Christine enjoys attending concerts amongst other things. Christine works for the Homes & Communities Agency, loves cherry brandy and hates wasps. of
John G - Now retired from A career in Finance, John pursues his passionate interest in Choral singing and like Carolyn, loves all Genres of Music. He has only recently joined Just Midnight and especially loves the cool sophisticated approach to our music making.(his words). He is proud and privileged to be associated with us. John has had many years of Choral singing experience mainly with Haydock Male Voice Choir, who have had many Choral Festival successes in the past.. and has sung with several other Mixed Choirs over the years. John has performed at notable venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Liverpool Philharmonic, York Opera House, The Stuttgarter Liederhalle, Karlskirche in Vienna, and the Llangollen International Eisteddfod. When not singing, John can be seen spending time in his workshop pretending to be a Cabinet Maker.
Andrea is one of the newer members of the group. She has an ability to learn new songs very quickly and has already impressed the group with her versatile singing range. Andrea has always been musical, learnt to play trumpet from an early age and began singing in a chorus when she was 15. By 18 she was singing in a medal winning quartet. She has also played in several Yorkshire brass bands. Currently her favourite music is indie folk and she is valiantly trying to learn the bluegrass banjo.
Derek - Recently introduced to JM by Sue H, with whom he sang in a staff choir, Derek sings bass. He is a retired teacher with over 35 years of choral singing experience. He has sung with Haydock Male Voice Choir since 1976 and has spent many years as bass in a barbershop quartet. As a member of a mixed choir he has performed in three cathedrals. When not singing he enjoys watching premiership football, travel, dabbling on the piano and playing chess with his elder son (who nearly always beats him).
Ed is married to fellow Just Midnighter Pat and they were both former founders of the group. Ed is a great joker as well as a talented musician and also sings in jazz band ’Main Street’. He has brought some great arrangements to the group including ‘This Can’t Be Love’ and an Anita Kerr arrangement of ‘White Christmas’
