Members

Halina Kretchetov (leader) – Soprano

Halina (also known as Gillian) has sung from her teenage years in choirs learning her craft of choral singing first in Chester Cathedral and then as a member of the Glasgow University Chapel Choir. She conceived and has led The Samphires from its beginnings in 2012. Singing in harmony with others is her joy and passion and she communicates that in every concert with her clear, high voice.

Eleanor Sidgwick – Alto

Eleanor has enjoyed choral singing all her life. Wherever she has lived she has always found a choir to sing with but particularly enjoys singing in a small group. She has sung alto with The Samphires since its inception in 2012 and finds the harmonies of a varied repertoire particularly interesting and pleasing. The Samphires perform mainly in North Norfolk churches which is both a privilege and a joy.

Jenny Vickers – Soprano

Jenny has sung with The Samphires for over ten years, and on occasion has enjoyed composing and/or arranging pieces for them to perform. She has set to music many Celtic blessings which you can hear on Bandcamp. It is for her a joy and a privilege to be part of this close-knit vocal ensemble who are continually reimagining their programmes and seeking to connect with their audience and with one another through the songs they perform.

Diana Cripps – Alto

Diana has returned to her North Norfolk roots and joined The Samphires in 2019. She is relishing the challenge of singing in a small group having sung with choirs large and small in the UK and France. She particularly enjoys the synergy between the singers.  She also runs a community choir attached to Norwich School and sings with North Sea Voices. She is also the volunteer Financial Administrator for Music of Life – a charity that places professional musicians in SEND schools. 

Ros Hele – Second soprano

Ros enjoys singing choral music and has taken part in the Norfolk and Norwich Festival Chorus for many years. She has a great love of folk music and has sung as part of a duo and on her own in folk clubs. Being a member of The Samphires enables her to perform many different styles of music which she finds both exciting and life-affirming.

Ro Curtis – Second soprano

Ro has loved singing since early childhood. Having taught music to children from pre-school to secondary for over 40 years, she is passionate about the power of music, especially singing, to unite and inspire. She performed and conducted the Sheringham Savoyards for 10 years and was the founding conductor of Cantamus choir. She currently leads the New Sheringham Singers, a local ladies choir. She enjoys singing in choirs large and small, and has a special love of choral evensong. She has sung with The Samphires since 2018 and loves the challenge of singing such a varied repertoire with this accomplished ensemble.

Richard Peaver – Accompanist

Richard was Organ Scholar of Pembroke College, Oxford, where he read French and German, before becoming a language teacher at Gresham’s School, while also serving as a reserve officer in a regular cavalry regiment. At Gresham’s he ran the Choral Society for several years, performing many major choral works. Most Sundays will see him playing the organ for services in local churches. He has faithfully accompanied The Samphires since 2016.