Gippeswyk Singers

Who We Are

We are a friendly group with about forty members. We meet on Monday evenings from 7.30-9.30pm during term time at St Michael’s Church, Martlesham Heath.

Each academic year we give concerts at St Michael’s Church in December, March and June. We usually perform one concert a year with our musical friends, The Dargason Ensemble, whilst the other two are accompanied by piano or organ.

Generally we sing a repertoire of sacred and secular pieces from the 16th to the 20th century, most of which are accompanied, but some are occasionally a cappella. We are assisted in our learning and musical development by our piano accompanist Sabine Sutton, and our demanding, but supportive musical director, Janette Ruocco.

Our History

The Gippeswyk Singers chamber choir was formed by Geoff Lavery in 1972, who was teaching at Ipswich School. The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon name for Ipswich.

Barry Salmon took up the baton in 1986 and conducted the choir until 2010, arranging a great deal of music especially for them - a tenure of nearly 25 years.

Alan Loader conducted the choir in 2010 for just over a year.

Geoff Lavery returned to Suffolk in 2012 upon his retirement and once again conducted the choir until 2021, including holding the choir together through the very challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Janette Ruocco took up the post in September 2021 and continues to successfully lead the choir.

Honorary Presidents

Position	Holder
Honorary President	Geoff Lavery
Honorary Vice President	Nigel Harding