Our Musical Director and Conductor: Susannah Edom
Susannah grew up in Suffolk and studied piano, violin and clarinet. When she was at Bulmershe College in Berkshire she sang with their internationally famous girls’ choir under the direction of Gwyn Arch. The choir was very successful in competitions such as the Llan€dudno Eistedfodd, the radio competition “Let the People Sing “ and the Cork International Festival. They travelled to many different countries as well as performing on television and radio and in classical concerts at the Royal Festival Hall. This experience ignited Susannah’s great interest in choral music and conducting.
Back in Suffolk she became musical director of an amateur operatic society and of “Stage Struck” in Bury St Edmunds. She was choral specialist at the County Music School and was involved with the National Music Festival of Youth and with the Aldeburgh Festival.
Whilst teaching in Chelmsford Susannah also led the County Music School, was conductor of Boreham Ladies Choir and continued to work as a pianist and as well as serving as an official accompanist for the Chelmsford Music Festival. At this time, Susannah became musical director for Barnardos in their annual Young Supporters concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and had the privilege of conducting concerts for them at many prestigious venues such as Lambeth Palace, Chatsworth, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Wembley Arena.
Following two primary headships, Susannah is currently CEO of Attain Academy Trust and Director of Chelmsford Schools Partnership as well as the Essex primary SCITT. She continues to direct local musicals in Sudbury, Witham and Chelmsford and generally encourages the enjoyment of singing in young (and not so young) people, including Stour Valley Singers, which she formed in 1989 with her friend and pianist Susi Morrow.