MEMBERS | CMVC

Andris Ugulis

MUSICAL DIRECTOR

We are fortunate to have the services of a hugely-talented Musical Director in Andris who joined Castleford Male Voice Choir in October 2015.

He achieved his Bachelor degree at the F. Vitols Latvian Academy of Music, formerly known as the Music Conservatory in Riga, Latvia (1989-1993) specialising in choir and symphony orchestra conducting. After gaining his degree he worked as a musical director, choir and symphony orchestra conductor, taking part in many international choir festivals and tours in Italy, Germany, Norway, Finland, Australia, Canada and the USA, both as a conductor and professional choir member.

His musical career continued when he moved to the UK in 2009 and he is currently Musical Director for The Fairburn Singers, The Chevin Singers, Castleford Choral Society, Barnburgh Male Voice Choir and Chesterfield Male Voice Choir, as well as the organist at St Edward the Confessor Church in Barnsley. He is also a private vocal coach and piano teacher.

When not involved with music, Andris enjoys travelling, playing chess and watching ice hockey.

Mandy Jones

ACCOMPANIST

Born and raised in Southport, Mandy has always enjoyed playing the piano. From the age of 11 she played for the Boys Brigade, a local ballet school, various amateur dramatic groups and even a professional clown, with whom she toured around the UK, meeting many celebrities.

When she moved to Yorkshire in 1994 she was employed as a schools pianist, seeing over 2,000 pupils a week! She eventually taught the whole music curriculum at Victoria Primary School in Leeds, as well as taking children for speech and language therapy. Whilst there she played for Micklefield Male Voice Choir, which led her to other choirs. She retired early from school, preferring to play, rather than teach. She is now very busy but happy accompanying Castleford Male Voice Choir, the Fairburn Singers, Featherstone Male Voice Choir, Barnburgh Male Voice Choir and is also the organist at Micklefield Church.