Basing Singers is a mixed, four-part choir with around forty members. The choir has evolved over the years and is now very different from when it first started.
The choir was formed in 1968 by Mavis Lloyd, who continued to conduct the choir through into the 1990’s, then carried on as our accompanist until she finally retired at the end of 2008. She continued as our honorary president until her death at the end of 2017.
At first Basing Singers was a ladies’ choir, and all the founding members also belonged to the Young Wives group of St Mary’s Parish Church, Old Basing. In the early years the choir sang at events in the village and regularly entered local music festivals.
In the late 1970’s the choir decided to extend its repertoire by inviting some male singers to join with them for some items at the village concert. This proved to be a popular step, both from the choir members’ viewpoint and in the eyes of their audiences. Soon these guest tenor and bass voices had become full members of Basing Singers, and the ladies’ choir changed into a mixed choir.
Since 1994 Stuart Hicken has been the Musical Director of Basing Singers. Stuart is a local schoolteacher with considerable experience as a choral conductor.
In 2009 we were joined by Sheelagh Harding as our principal accompanist. She retired in 2022 and has been replaced by Richard Walshaw.
