Unityvoices has 24 members who work as a democracy when making decisions. All members have a role in the running of the group ranging from musical director to sweet lady, and everything imaginable in between. We all have families and jobs, and it can be something of a juggling act when gigs are flowing in thick and fast. There is a strong bond of friendship in the group and we know we can rely on each other for support and help in our everyday lives as well as in our singing. unityvoices is influenced by the wide range of musical tastes within the group, members are always suggesting new songs to add to the repertoire. The tone and style of voices and the obvious love of singing combines to create the unique sound of unityvoices.

MUSICAL DIRECTOR:
Peter started playing his violin when he was just four and has never looked back since. During these early years he won several music festivals and was twice awarded the prize of the most promising string player. Peter was also the Leader of his local Youth Orchestra and he was also selected to join an orchestra for Classic FM where he performed at Cannery Wharf in London.

He studied at the University of Huddersfield in classical and baroque violin, as well as orchestral conducting. This led him to completing his masters in 2004 in orchestral conducting under his teacher Clarke Rundell (conductor of the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra). During his time at the University he conducted several ensembles including the University staff choir, St Paul’s singers, Huddersfield Chamber Ensemble, Queensgate strings and the University Symphony Orchestra, as well as playing and leading in several University ensembles. He has also played with several local orchestras including, Slaithwaite Philharmonic, the Orchestra of Square Chapel, York Philharmonic Orchestra and Leeds Baroque Orchestra.

He is currently working for Kirklees Music School and recently composed a piece for the Kirklees Music School String Orchestra, which won a highly recommended award at this years School Festival in Birmingham Symphony Hall. He is also the current conductor of the MENZA orchestra and Musical Director for the Marsden Operatic Society.

Peter became our musical director in September 2004 when Helen Worthington emigrated to Australia. Under Peter’s direction we have started to sing more gospel music, amongst other things, and through this he has taught us to sing using close harmony, which adds a new harmonic dimension to Unity’s sound. This year Peter has been working us hard ready to record our new CD in July, which is full of new songs which Unity have not covered before, “I am very proud of what the girls have achieved in such a short space of time. They are quite unique as they commit every harmony to memory and learn songs at such a rapid rate, that I have trouble keeping up with them. They are so dedicated and just enjoy singing and creating music, which comes through to the audience.

"I have never worked with such a unique and talented group and I am very privileged to be their musical director. And no they didn’t pay me to write this!!”

Our brilliant singers are:
Kate Button, Liz Challenger, Annette Dilai, Alison Fisher, Anita Holroyd, Angela Kinder, Vashti MacLachlan, Janet Mellors, Vivienne Payne, Karolyne Parr, Angie Robertson, Anne Shaw, Angie Sprawson, Jo Stead, Christine Tilson, Kirsty Townsend, Jessica Tuck, Louise Warwick, Alison Whitehead, Fiona Woodhead.

Our talented musicians are:
Peter Simons – keyboard and violin; Malcolm Payne – acoustic guitar; Tony Sprawson – acoustic guitar; Sam Dilai – bass guitar:
Percussion: Mainly Annette Dilia: (but Janet is mean on the bean!)