Pamela Rudge

Pamela Rudge studied at the Royal College of Music and now combines the post of Head of Music at Bristol Old Vic Theatre school with a busy singing life. Pamela specialises in oratorio, concert and recital work, performing in this country and abroad and has a wide repertoire from early music to contemporary composers.

Pamela has worked as a soloist on radio and television and is much in demand for running vocal workshops and singing courses. She has been musical director for many shows, including the critically acclaimed London Road at Bristol Old Vic.

Pamela became President of Portishead Choral Society in 2005.

Andrew Kirk

Andrew Kirk is a freelance choral director, organist and accompanist working mainly in the Bristol and Somerset areas. In September 2025, Andrew became Musical Director of Portishead Choral Society, a mixed voice choir of over 70 singers.

He directs two Good Afternoon Choirs, in North Somerset and Taunton, along with two ‘In Ecclesia’ auditioned choirs West. As an organist, Andrew plays at various churches in the region for Sunday services, weddings and funerals. He is also Organ Tutor for Bristol Beacon and one of the team of organists playing for graduation ceremonies at Bristol University.

From 2003-2023, he was Director of Music and Organist at St Mary Redcliffe Church, Bristol, where he had responsibility for directing several choirs at the church and regularly gave concerts on the famous 1912 Harrison and Harrison organ. In the past two years, his organ concerts have included St David’s Cathedral, St Chad’s Cathedral, Tewkesbury Abbey, Christchurch Priory, Leeds Minster, Albert Hall Nottingham and Brangwyn Hall Swansea.

From 1994-2003 he was Director of Music at St John’s Church, Ranmoor, Sheffield. He also taught class music at three secondary schools, including Lady Manners School, Bakewell. He has been an external consultant for the appointment of Directors of Music in some of the larger churches in the UK.

Born and educated in Leicester, he won an Organ Scholarship to Pembroke College, Oxford where he studied organ with David Sanger. He spent two years in Western Australia as Assistant Organist at St George’s Anglican Cathedral in Perth. He holds the FRCO Diploma, gaining the Turpin and Durrant prizes for organ playing.

‘I've really enjoyed my first year working with Portishead Choral Society and am greatly looking forward to the next season of rehearsals and concerts. Thank you to the choir committee and members of the choir, who have given me good support, and have embraced some new ways of doing things.’

Andrew Kirk, July 2026

Review of 2025-26 season:

• In December 2025 we enjoyed performing Requiem by John Rutter, in his 80th birthday year, alongside some varied christmas carols.
• For our spring concert in March 2026, we were joined by a professional String Quartet who accompanied Haydn's St Nicholas Mass, and Mozart's Ave verum.
• Soprano soloist Eloise Routledge delighted the audience with Mendelssohn's anthem Hear my Prayer, as well as a Mozart solo.
• In the summer, we sang a wide range of songs from around the world, accompanied superbly by Richard Lennox, who dazzled us with two stunning piano improvisations.
• Equally delightful were the 10 different cakes available at the end of the concert which were enjoyed along with fruit punch.

Looking ahead to the 2026-27 concerts (all at 7.30pm):

• Friday 11 December includes some favourite Victorian anthems by S S Wesley. Charles Wood and Sir John Stainer in the first half, with carols old and new in the second half.
• Saturday 20 March will be a Best of Baroque concert with instrumental accompaniment - Vivaldi's popular Gloria, Purcell Come ye sons of art, and a Bach Cantata movement.
• Saturday 19 June will feature popular Songs from the Musicals.

Looking further ahead, we hope to programme part 1 of Handel's Messiah in December 2027, and Mozart's Requiem in Spring 2028.

Richard Lennox

Richard joined Portishead Choral Society as their accompanist in September 2016 and has played for their rehearsals and concerts over the past six years. He has recently worked with Weston Operatic Society as their Musical Director for ‘9 To 5 The Musical’ at the Playhouse Theatre in Weston Super Mare, and has played in many concerts around the West Country. He played a return online concert with the international acclaimed bass/baritone Jonathan Viera ‘Live from the Steinway Room‘, recorded on Sunday 30th October 8pm, and still available to view on YouTube and Facebook.

Richard plays all genres of music, which makes him an exciting professional musician. His other accomplishments include accompanying students for their exams (vocalists and Instrumentalists) at dance schools in Epsom and Cheltenham. Last year he had the privilege of accompanying one of the BBC Singers, Jamie W Hall, performing with Weston Choral Society.

Each year Richard has the pleasure of performing at the Royal Albert Hall – a Christian event ‘Prom Praise’ with the All Souls Orchestra and Choir, playing on their mighty organ and their Steinway piano. He also accompanies their soloists, including Mike Smith, Graham Kendrick, and Jonathan Viera.

Richard has had several interviews with Radio Bristol, and been invited to play his music; they are excellent in promoting his work. Various CDs have been recorded by Richard, with sincere thanks accorded to Chris Emmerson.

Portishead Choral Society is delighted to have Richard as accompanist.

https://encoremusicians.com/Richard-Lennox

Portishead Choral Society Committee

The Society is run by a committee of trustees, elected at the Annual General Meeting. Other members of the Society serve as officers, and attend committee meetings when necessary. Our Musical Director attends committee meetings by invitation.

Trustees

• Chair: Richard Wall
• General Secretary: Sally Melson
• Treasurer: Susan Hobbs
• Concert Secretary: Miriam Dunn
• Soprano Representative: Micheline Williams
• Alto Representative: Sarah Stevens
• Tenor Representative: David Yates
• Bass Representative: Paul Jeffery

Officers

• Librarian: Jane Pagano
• Publicity/Advertising: Colin Buck / David Yates
• Webmaster: Colin Buck
• Social media: Sally Melson
• Ticket Sales: Helen Adams and Enfys Hughes
• Making Music Representative: Richard Wall / Susan Hobbs
• Archivists: Alex Cottrell and Judy Sack

Portishead Choral Society Patrons

Portishead Choral Society is most grateful for the continued support of our patrons:

• M Bailey
• Christine Kilvington

The Society is always delighted to hear from prospective new patrons – either individuals or companies. If you are interested, please contact the society’s Chair.