Sanderstead Singers was formed in 1991 by Fred Irvine to sing the daily services at Salisbury Cathedral for a week in that summer. Its initial 40 members were mainly former members of the choir of All Saints’, Sanderstead (in Surrey) where Fred Irvine was Director of Music.

Although the group did not initially expect to continue beyond that week, it has continued to grow and, over the past 30 years, has sung at 24 cathedrals (some several times). These have been from Portsmouth Cathedral in the South to York Minster in the North, and Truro Cathedral in the West to Ely Cathedral in the East.

The choir, which now has well over 60 singers “on the books”, was initially linked with St. Mary’s Church in Sanderstead, but is now no longer linked there, or with any other parishes.

The choir has always encouraged younger members and some current members started as Sanderstead Singers Trebles. Interestingly the choir still contains a number of 1991 original members, together with their sons, daughters and grandchildren.

Over recent years, the choir has sung regularly at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and made its debut at Westminster Abbey over Easter 2012. The choir also sang at Southwark Cathedral and Ely Cathedral in 2019. Visits and residencies were curtailed due to the 2020 covid pandemic and a virtual service was undertaken for that year.

The choir has an extensive repertoire, ranging from the 16th century to the present day and aims, where possible, to link the music sung to the venue as may be seen from the content of the website. Please do browse through our England’s Cathedrals Booklet.

Fred Irvine, the Conductor of Sanderstead Singers since their inception stepped down in 2019 after many years service. Dan Soper, a previous Organist for Sanderstead Singers, now leads the choir on their one day and residency visits. Dan was a treble in the choir himself and was Assistant Director of Music at St. Edmundsbury Cathedral before leading Sanderstead Singers.

The website gives a history of the residency visits and one day services that Sanderstead Singers have undertaken over the past 30 years. If after browsing the website and listening to some of the music, you feel empowered to join Sanderstead Singers please e-mail us on 'contact@sandersteadsingers.org.uk ' A competence in music reading with a love and enthusiasm for quality church music would be a great help.