President: David Amess MP

David is the Member of Parliament for Southend West. A long-time supporter of the choir, David took over the role of President in July 2002.

"When I was asked to become president of the Leigh Orpheus Male Voice Choir, I was delighted to accept and flattered that they thought I would be an appropriate person to follow in the footsteps of my colleague, Dr. Michael Clark. Audiences, not only in Essex, but also throughout the country and even abroad, appreciate the quality of this choir. I will endeavour to ensure that the glorious sounds that the choir make are appreciated by an even wider audience.”

Vice-Presidents: Eddie Kirby, David Roberts, Audrey Cooper

Musical Director: David Clark B.Ed. (Dunelm), Dip. Ed.

Born in Northumberland and trained at Bede College, Durham, David Clark has since taught in middle, special and secondary schools. For 13 years he was Head of Creative Arts and Director of Music at a local comprehensive school.
In April 2004 he was appointed 14-19 Strategy Manager for Southend schools and since August 2006 he has worked as a self-employed education consultant, managing and delivering education and projects.

The Musical Director of The Leigh Orpheus Male Voice Choir since 1990, David has seen the choir develop significantly in terms of numbers, repertoire and concert venues. It was his vision and leadership that created the highly successful "Come and Sing!" project in 2006 that doubled the size of the choir.

A former principal of Southend Music School, David is equally at home in the banding world; in 2002 he founded Southend Wind Orchestra.

Accompanist: Janet Walker

Janet is a highly experienced and busy accompanist. She is the regular accompanist to three adult choirs and has performed with them widely in this country and on concert tours to France, Germany and Spain.

Janet is the Head of Music at Westleigh Junior School where she runs a thriving music department. Under her direction the school choirs have performed at the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Purcell Room, as well as being regular performers at St. Paul's Church, Covent Garden.

Life Members: Charles Benford, Ken Brown, Gwyn Derrick, Alistair Fiddes, Tom Marshall, Chris Roberts, John Stanton, Graham Williams

Honorary Member: Phil Cole