The Chevin
The Chevin
Our name comes from the Chevin, a hill which overlooks the Derwent Valley to the West of Belper. The Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site runs through this area - the only World Heritage Site in the East Midlands.
The name Chevin derives from the Celtic word Cefn, meaning 'ridge'. This forms part of an ancient route used by
Celts, Romans and Anglo Saxons.
What Sort Of Music Do We Sing?
We sing world music in many different languages.
All our music is written in musical form and we sing unaccompanied and are taught, very patiently, by ear, by our Music Director, Andris Ugulis.
The Singers
We meet weekly; occasional performance opportunities are discussed by the choir members and there is no compulsion to perform. We are a community choir open to everyone, no matter what musical ability or experience, all are most welcome - we are very friendly, and inclusive and sing a range of songs from around the world including the UK; some in other languages, we like a challenge!
A small weekly fee is paid by members to support the choir's activities; however, anyone can come along. The first visit will be free so prospective members can try us out with no obligation.
Music Director
Our MD is Andris Ugulis from Latvia, where he achieved a Bachelor Degree at the J. Vítols Academy of Music, formerly the Music Conservatory, in Riga, where he specialised in choir and symphony orchestra conducting. Whilst still living in Latvia he took part in many international choir festivals and tours in Italy, Germany, Norway, Finland, Australia, Canada and the USA, working as a musical director, choir and symphony orchestra conductor and professional chorister.
Since moving to the UK in 2007 with his wife Janina and daughter Eva, he has continued to work freelance as a professional musician in a variety of roles. These include organist, vocal coach, piano teacher and Musical Director (MD). As well as being MD of Chesterfield Male Voice Choir (since June 2013), Andris is also MD of Barnburgh MVC near Doncaster, Conductor of Castleford MVC and Director of Music at St John the Baptist Church in Dronfield.
Our name comes from the Chevin, a hill which overlooks the Derwent Valley to the West of Belper. The Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site runs through this area - the only World Heritage Site in the East Midlands.
The name Chevin derives from the Celtic word Cefn, meaning 'ridge'. This forms part of an ancient route used by
Celts, Romans and Anglo Saxons.
What Sort Of Music Do We Sing?
We sing world music in many different languages.
All our music is written in musical form and we sing unaccompanied and are taught, very patiently, by ear, by our Music Director, Andris Ugulis.
The Singers
We meet weekly; occasional performance opportunities are discussed by the choir members and there is no compulsion to perform. We are a community choir open to everyone, no matter what musical ability or experience, all are most welcome - we are very friendly, and inclusive and sing a range of songs from around the world including the UK; some in other languages, we like a challenge!
A small weekly fee is paid by members to support the choir's activities; however, anyone can come along. The first visit will be free so prospective members can try us out with no obligation.
Music Director
Our MD is Andris Ugulis from Latvia, where he achieved a Bachelor Degree at the J. Vítols Academy of Music, formerly the Music Conservatory, in Riga, where he specialised in choir and symphony orchestra conducting. Whilst still living in Latvia he took part in many international choir festivals and tours in Italy, Germany, Norway, Finland, Australia, Canada and the USA, working as a musical director, choir and symphony orchestra conductor and professional chorister.
Since moving to the UK in 2007 with his wife Janina and daughter Eva, he has continued to work freelance as a professional musician in a variety of roles. These include organist, vocal coach, piano teacher and Musical Director (MD). As well as being MD of Chesterfield Male Voice Choir (since June 2013), Andris is also MD of Barnburgh MVC near Doncaster, Conductor of Castleford MVC and Director of Music at St John the Baptist Church in Dronfield.