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Welcome Lorna Flear our new accompanist
Here is a breif introduction from our new accompanist Lorna Flear, as we look forward to our upcoming concerts our 90th Year.
I started playing the piano at the age of 8 and quickly became involved in a variety of music groups, playing for school musicals including South Pacific, Bugsy Malone and The Boyfriend, as well as Staffordshire Recorders and Burton Sinfonia. I accompanied my daughter for her flute exams which led to me playing as a relief accompanist for South Derbyshire Music Centre choirs. I played for Force Ten, a jazz big band, from 2023-2025 and currently accompany both The Leaside Singers and Chameleon choirs.
I also recently started the Leaside Recorder group ‘Tootally Awesome’ as player/director and sing with the Swadlincote Messiah Choral Society, as well as attending singing events around the country, just for fun.
I regularly accompany all the workshops and conferences run by the National Association of Choirs including those led by Nicola Hunt, David Lawrence and Edward Rhys Harry.
It’s a real honour to be part of the 90th year celebrations with Sonara Singers and I’m looking forward to the upcoming concerts.Lorna Flear
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90th Celebrations Begin with Cake
What a wonderful way to start such a milestone year. We enjoyed a delicious meal with friends at the Village Inn, Marehay. Our amazing chair, Helen welcomed everyone and thanked friends and supporters as well as our amazing musical director Nicki and the choir for making singing with Sonara such a special thing to be a part of. We were all full from the wonderful food and took our cake home with us – it definitely felt like a birthday celebration. For our singers that couldn’t join us at the meal, we saved a layer and took it to rehearsal the following day.
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Christmas 2025
What a busy Christmas for Sonara, we have sung with 3 different brass bands and two choirs.
First off was a wonderful set of carols with Heage Brass Band for Ripley Christmas lights switch on – the market place was packed – it was a lovely community event.
Next up was the Women’s Work Charity Winter Concert where we joined by Derbyshire Community Male Voice Choir, the Women’s Work choir and a wonderful harpist in the glorious St Mary’s Church on Bridgegate Derby.
Only a couple of days later and we were at St Andrews Church Swanwick for our annual concert with Matlock Brass Band where the audience were also treated to solos from our guest Elisabeth Kershaw as well as amazing home made cakes.
Next up was a carol service as part of St Martins Alfreton Christmas Tree Festival where we sang with Darley Dale Brass Band with some amazing trees and what can only be described as a fabulous version of The 12 Days of Christmas. After an evening of entertaining the residents of a local care home, last up for the season was carols and Christmas songs in Derby Market Hall where we were raising money for The Salvation Army.
A huge thank you to everyone who has helped or supported us at any of these events and wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2026.
Ladies Choir
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Established 1936
Friendship in Harmony: Celebrating 90 Years in Song
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