Chivenor Military Ladies Choir pianist joins the chorus

The long-standing and talented pianist of Chivenor Military Ladies Choir is stepping down from her role accompanying the choir – but she isn’t moving very far!

Sue Trick, who has been the choir’s piano accompanist since 2012, took part in her last choir rehearsal at the keys yesterday (Tuesday, June 17) but will soon be joining the ranks of the altos as a singer instead.

The busy piano and singing teacher is not hanging up her piano stool just yet and will continue to accompany Barnstaple Male Voice Choir as well as her private tuition roles.

Sue has been with the Chivenor Military Ladies Choir almost as long as it has existed.

Above: Sue Trick, left, with Chivenor Military Ladies Choir MD Rachel Smith. Credit: CMLC

The choir was created in 2011 as part of the BBC series The Choir: Military Wives with Gareth Malone, which followed a group of ladies whose partners served at RMB Chivenor as they formed the then Chivenor Military Wives Choir, culminating in a moving performance for the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Together with the show’s sister choir from Plymouth, they released a Christmas charity single Wherever You Are, which reached number one and sold more than half a million copies.

The choir believe they are very lucky to have had Sue as their accompanist for so many years. The daughter of a music teacher, Sue has been playing the piano since she was three-years-old and has been accompanying choirs since she was in junior school.

She was Director of Music for 12 years at Edgehill College before moving to Spain, where she was Director of Music at El Limonar International School. While living in Spain, she was the piano accompanist for seven choirs.

Sue said: “In September I will have played for the Military Wives for 13 years. There are many, many good memories, but I enjoyed playing in St Paul's Cathedral, with Hugh Grant and Joanna Lumley and also when we sang in London for King Charles and William and Harry.

“I continue to teach piano and singing privately and look forward to joining the Military Ladies excellent alto section in September!”

Above: Piano accompanist Sue Trick with members of Chivenor Military Ladies Choir. Credit: CMLC

Although she is stepping down from her pianist role at Chivenor, Sue continues to share her passion for music. Each month she plays for Fremington Methodist Church, the same church where she married her husband, Colin 29 years ago.

She also organises the Singing for Fun group in Fremington for the Barnstaple branch of the University of the Third Age.

Cheryl Morgan, chair of the Chivenor choir, paid tribute to Sue and said: “Sue has been with our choir for 13 amazing years, creating unforgettable memories as our brilliant pianist - from the Royal Albert Hall and Cliff Richard to overseas and local performances.

“A true professional and legend, we’re thrilled you’re staying with us in the alto section for more music and memories! We love you!”

Sue holds a special place in the heart of the Chivenor Military Ladies Choir and a message from all the members said they would like to thank her for everything she has done for the choir: for her talent and professionalism, for every rehearsal and performance, for organising choir social and fundraising events and for her stories and humour.