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2022 – Katie McDonagh (alto)
2021 – Jasmine Bending (soprano), Annabel Astridge (alto)
2018 – Ellie Astridge (soprano), Katie Sutton (soprano), Ruby Thorne
2017 – William Brown (tenor), Jenny Frost (soprano), Rosie Harrison (alto), Phoebe Wakefield (soprano)
2016 – Niamh Shepherd (soprano)
2015 – Izzi Blain (soprano), Shauna Masterson (soprano), Mark Burrell (bass), Chris Burrett (bass).
2014 – Maisie James (soprano), Cecilia Young (soprano), Felicity Margeson (soprano), Jeremy Fisher (tenor), Mark Wilson (baritone).
2013 – Jonathan Burrett (tenor), Tim Wallis (tenor), Julian Windram (bass)
2012 – Hannah Bennett (soprano), Nina Vinther (soprano)
2011 – Bethany McLeish (soprano), Rob Wallis (tenor), Fergus O’Neil (bass)
2010 – Hugo Beardsall (tenor)

Jenny Frost

“I was an intern with The Lea Singers for the 2017-18 season. I loved working on so much varied repertoire from many different genres and time periods, with such a supportive and fund group of singers. I am now studying Modern and Medieval Languages at Selwyn College, Cambridge, and I intend to keep singing seriously throughout my studies and beyond.”

Hugo Beardsall

“My first really clear musical memory was when I was seven and joined the St Albans Cathedral Choir. I think it dawned on me that I could actually sing when I was asked to sing the treble solo in Elijah in Westminster Cathedral at the age of 12. On my iPod I have everything from RnB to dance music, with some folk and classical thrown in for good measure. I think exam revision goes really well with heavy rock. Leas highlights? My internship has helped me become inspired by singing again.”

Rob Wallis

“The Lea Singers are some of the most musically able and welcoming people I have ever sung with. Although I have many good memories singing with them, my favourite has to be the weekend trip to Durham Cathedral. The music was incredible, particularly Finzi’s Lo, the Full Final Sacrifice, but the most memorable thing was the incredible setting of the Cathedral. The masterful playing of James Sherlock on an organ, loud enough to be heard in Harpenden, is something that will stay with me for a long time. I would recommend the internship scheme to anyone.”

Bethany McLeish

“I’ve just finished my GCSEs at Stopsley High School in Luton, and plan to continue my music studies at sixth form college. I take part in many music groups, including the Luton Youth Jazz Orchestra and Youth Cantores. I would love to study music and keep it throughout my life, either as a profession or a hobby. Most memorable Lea Singers moment? Singing Finzi at Durham Cathedral in April. It was so magical! Best thing about being an intern in Leas? Everyone is so lovely! I’ve met loads of new people and gained a more professional experience of singing in a choir. I have learned so much.”

Fergus O’Neil

“The best thing about singing in a choir is how every little thing comes together and you’re left with a great sounding piece of music for the most part! Some things go wrong but you can work it out, and you meet some great people. It’s surprising just what a small world the singing community is. As well as the Lea Singers, I’m currently singing in the Abbey Singers at St Albans Abbey. In my opinion the best bit about the Lea Singers is the people. Like with any choir, it doesn’t matter how good everyone is individually, if they don’t gel together then it won’t work. In the Lea Singers, everyone is friendly and I believe it is reflected in the way we sing.”

Hannah Bennett

“I have recently finished my A-Level studies at Luton Sixth Form College and will be taking a gap year before further music studies at Manchester or Leeds University. I will also be auditioning for conservatoires in the autumn. I have sung with various groups and currently with the Luton Youth Cantores and Bedfordshire Youth Opera for the past three summers. I intend to join many more ensembles to gain valuable experience during my gap year. I am very excited to join the Lea Singers and the challenges this will bring.”

Nina Vinther

“I am 14 years old and have loved singing for as long as I can remember. When I started junior school I auditioned for the St Albans Abbey Girls’ Choir. I couldn’t even read music at that point, but luckily I was accepted and have had seven fantastic years with that Choir. It will be really strange to leave, as it has been such a big part of my routine, but at least I won’t have to be at morning practice at 7.30am anymore! I have singing and trombone lessons at school, so music keeps me very busy. I was very excited when I found out that I have an Internship with the Lea Singers. I was at the Leas Spring Harmony concert in March, which I loved and thought the singing was inspirational, so I hope I can work well with everyone and contribute to this sound.”

Chris Burrett

Chris is a passionate, enthusiastic and versatile musician with a broad musical education, background and experience, encompassing composition, music production, directing, performing and teaching. He is currently Principal Percussionist with the BBC Concert Band, and also drums for the Shambles Big Band and for his own jazz quintet Kings Jazz. Chris is an experienced and versatile vocal performer too, both as a soloist and in ensembles, stage shows, chamber choirs and traditional church choir settings, and now leads his own vocal ensemble, Beati. He was a bass intern with the Lea Singers in 2015, following in the footsteps of his brother Jonathan (tenor intern in 2013 and now a permanent member of the Lea Singers).

Chris has a passion for musical theatre and is Musical Director of the Square Drama Circle who gave the world premiere of his original musical The Legend of Troy in 2019, for which he wrote the script, music and lyrics for his concept of an original musical stage show, inspired by traditional musical theatre. Chris works as a freelance musician specialising in composition, and also works extensively as a peripatetic percussion and classroom music teacher. Music is his passion, and he is constantly on the lookout for his next musical opportunity.

Chris Scholtens (tenor)

This concert is my first with the Leas, and I feel extremely lucky to mark the occasion by performing a musical masterpiece in such an idyllic setting. It’s not every day that one gets the opportunity to sing – or, indeed, hear – twenty movements of Russian Orthodox liturgical music composed by one of the twentieth century’s finest musicians, but to do so with people who clearly have a passion for music-making is an extra privilege. What could be better?

Upon joining the Leas in April, it was immediately clear that the Choir takes immense pride in its ability to create quality music and share it with the community, but that this is never at the expense of having fun during the music-making process. Choir is all about balance; the Leas embody this idea by treating rehearsals with the utmost respect and professionalism, while also being an incredibly social group that welcomes everyone into the fold, even newbies like me!

This culture is not just facilitated, but actively driven by the Leas’ conductor, Ben, whose love of choral music is absolutely infectious. I am constantly impressed by his natural ability to bring out the best in the choir, not to mention his patience in teaching everyone Russian, Estonian, or Church Slavonic. The Leas have found a conducting gem in Ben – join the choir and see for yourself!

Katie Sutton (soprano)

Hi there! My name’s Katie, and I’ve been an intern with the Lea Singers for a few years now. The Leas have exposed me to an incredible range of repertoire, challenging me to explore more complex and less well-known pieces. Having worked with some of the Leas’ fantastic conductors, I also feel that my time in the Choir has improved my understanding of vocal technique and musicality, and my awareness of how both can be used to best bring out a piece’s true character.

I love weekly rehearsals with the Leas, not least for the chance to spend time with other members, all of whom are really genuine, dedicated, lovely people. The Lea Singers are not only skilled musicians, but are also all really supportive and friendly, and keen to help when coming across something difficult or new; I’ve learnt a lot from them.

Not only that, but through the Leas, I’ve been able to perform really interesting musical programmes in fantastic venues, the experience of which has been really enjoyable and highly valuable. All in all, singing with such a high-quality – yet community-minded – choir has been fantastic as a young person, and the Leas’ internship scheme provides an amazing framework to take up the opportunity; I can’t recommend it enough!

Annabel Astridge (alto)

I have been supported by the Lea Singers internship scheme through both the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 seasons. I graduated from the University of Leeds with a music degree and am now working as a Classical Label Services Manager for a music distribution company whilst continuing my vocal studies under the tuition of Rachel Nicholls.

During my time on the interns scheme I performed the alto solo in Rachmaninov’s All-Night Vigil Blagoslovi, dushe moya, Ghospoda, when we sang the work in the Lady Chapel at St Albans Cathedral. This was a hugely special performance and allowed me to combine the choral music I love working on so much, with my own development as a solo performer. I feel very privileged to have been able to perform this work in full, and I have thoroughly enjoyed continuing to work on Rachmaninov’s music with the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom for this summer’s Choral Discoveries concert.

It was great fun to be involved with the Lea Singers as an intern in their 60th year celebrations too. I was astonished to see the full extent of the choir’s history and it was very special to meet so many interns who have sung with the choir in the past.

It can be challenging to juggle working full-time and continuing to sing, perform and learn to the extent that I was able to while studying full-time. The Lea Singers internship scheme has been a great supplement to my learning, and allowed me to continue singing a breadth of choral repertoire whilst being out of full-time music education.

Jasmine Bending (soprano)

I’ve been coming to Lea Singers concerts ever since I was a child, as my Mum Lucy was an alto in the Lea Singers for many years. Some of my most vivid music memories are Leas concerts. I was always very impressed and eager to join as an intern one day. The opportunity came up for me to apply for the first soprano internship and now I can’t believe I’ve been in it for nearly two years!

The best thing about being a Lea Singer is the instant feeling of community and being welcoming is something that the Leas do very well. Everyone is immediately friendly, and we all have a love of singing in common. It’s brilliant to chat with everyone in the break, after singing brilliant music together!

I’ve loved getting to know this piece, and also to become more familiar with Rachmaninov, especially after learning the All-Night Vigil last March. He’s not a composer that I had known much about before my time as an intern with the Lea Singers but definitely one whose music I now love singing and will be exploring more in the future!