About Us

Ben is a baritone from Northeast England, studying with Graeme Danby. Recent stage roles include Schaunard in la Boheme for his debut in France, Prince Yamadori and The Bonze in Madame Butterfly, Barone, Doctor Grenville, and Marchese in la Traviata, (North Wales Opera Studio and Clyde Opera), Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro and Giuseppe in The Gondoliers (York Opera), Guglielmo in Cosi fan Tutte (Constella Operaballet), and Noakes in the premiere of Something in the City by Thomas. F. Dunhill - unperformed in 1939 due to the outbreak of war. Don Alhambra in The Gondoliers at Harrogate international festival, the bass roles in Britten’s The Little Sweep, and Barabashkin in Shostakovich’s Cheryomushki.

Soloist concert performances include Symphony for the Mothers and Sons (commission marking the centenary of the Somme), Bach’s St John Passion and Faure’s Requiem (Bury Bach Choir), and Mozart’s Requiem. Chorus work includes Silent Night (Opera North), Faust, and Le Comte Ory (Dorset Opera). Ben works for the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, and is honoured to direct the Military WAGS Choir at Catterick Garrison.

Brett became our regular accompanist in September 2015. He had accompanied the choir prior to that date on a few occasions but when he took early retirement from Modern Foreign Languages teaching, our Director at the time Carol Gedye (with whom Brett had worked for a numbers of years through St. Mary’s Church) asked him to join us on a regular basis.

Throughout his teaching career Brett played the piano for school musicals and choirs. He began playing the piano at the age of ten and has continued to play as a hobby, choosing not to take any grade exams. Since moving to North Yorkshire in 1990 he has accompanied a wide variety of local singing groups and soloists.

In addition to playing for the WAGS, Brett is also the regular accompanist for the Richmond Station Singers and plays once a month for the Sunday morning service at St. Mary’s Church.

In December 2017 he received the honour of the Investor in Richmond Award from the Mayor of Richmond, on behalf of Richmond Town Council, in recognition of services to the community through his contribution to musical ensembles and events.

Brett enjoys playing the more popular-style repertoire of the WAGS choir.

Debbie, as the chair, provides leadership to the choir, guiding its direction, vision, and objectives. This involves setting goals, making decisions, and ensuring that the choir operates effectively and efficiently.

Overall, the role of the military wives choir chair is multifaceted, requiring strong leadership, organisational skills, communication abilities, and a passion for music and community. The chair plays a crucial role in fostering unity, resilience, and support within the military community through the power of music.

Debbie took on this role in July 2023 after being a member of the choir since 2014. Her husband served in the RAF, and she was a Teaching Assistant at a military-based school. She joined because she has always enjoyed singing in church, school, and barbershop choirs and has personally experienced the "feel good" factor that singing in choirs can provide. Upon hearing about the choir from a colleague, the moment she stepped through the door and was greeted by the ladies, she felt like she had "come home."

Angela was one of the founding members of the Military WAGS choir, established in 2010, and has been on an incredible journey since. She has experienced many special moments, including performing at the Royal Albert Hall, singing in front of the Queen at Buckingham Palace during her Diamond Jubilee, and recording the soundtrack for the Military Wives film. Angela is now responsible for running the crèche facility, maintaining the music archives, and supporting new members.

Gaynor has been the choir Treasurer since joining in 2021. The treasurer plays an important role in improving and maintaining the financial health and success of the choir. While acknowledging the importance of the role, Gaynor initially joined to sing songs, make friends, and feel part of a community that fosters happiness for herself and others. Despite feeling nervous for her first rehearsal and not knowing what to expect, the welcome she received far exceeded her expectations. This experience has become a significant part of her life, and she has formed friendships that she believes will last a lifetime.

Stacey never intended to sing. She was brought along to photograph the WAGS Choir Catterick in April 2024, identifying herself as a "non-singer" who had always been told her voice was not suited for it. However, something changed. She found herself drawn into the choir, performing at the 1940s concert, which she found amazing, the Christmas show, and the profoundly moving Remembrance service at Durham Cathedral. Ironically, she also took on the management of the choir's website, a role she thoroughly enjoys. As a staff member at a local secondary school, where she primarily works with service children, and as the daughter of a deceased soldier, the connection to this community and its music feels deeply personal and meaningful to her. She encourages others to join, even if they believe they cannot sing, as they might just surprise themselves.

Having been a soldier for 34 years (his last appointment having been as Commander Catterick Garrison), Nick retired from the Army in the Summer of 2013 and joined Durham School where he now leads its programme to establish Durham International Schools in India and the Middle East. 

Involved with the Military WAGS Choir Catterick since its inception in 2010, Nick has been fortunate to both witness the inspiration its members provide each other, and indeed the enjoyment they have given those who listen to them sing: he is delighted to be a Trustee and looks forward to what is surely an exciting time as the WAGs further enhance their already enviable reputation as a group of ladies who love to sing.

Meg has worked in industry for over 30 years, starting out as a chemical engineer and switching to management accounting along the way. She has worked in various factories in the UK and overseas for Glaxo Smith Kline; latterly as Finance and Logistics Director at their manufacturing site in Barnard Castle. Her current role with GSK involves designing and implementing computerised business processes at several European sites.

Other than being married into a family with a military background (Meg’s father-in-law retired as Colonel in the Signal’s), Meg has no connections to the Army and therefore the invitation to be a Trustee was a surprise. However, it was also a delight and easy to accept. Living near Catterick, the impact of our current overseas operations on families living here means more than the images on the TV screens. Meg also has no musical background, however, she understands and supports women’s different perspective of world events. The Military WAGS choir Catterick is a wonderful demonstration of an active and joyful self-support group that she delights in helping as a Trustee.

Phil is the Managing Director of Purple Creative Studio, the developers of the Military WAGS Choir website. It was during the development period that Phil came to fully appreciate just what it is that the WAGS Choir does and how beneficial this support network is to the community. Following the completion of the web project, Phil attended the WAGS Christmas Concert and was extremely impressed with the passion and talent on display. As a musician himself - well a drummer, if that counts - Phil was thrilled to be invited to serve as a Trustee for this very worthy group.