Music Director – Clare Oliver
Clare Oliver studied Music and Voice at Leeds University, Kings College, London and the Royal Academy of Music. She has performed as a soprano soloist in operas, oratorios and recitals, appearing on BBC 1, Channel 4 and Radio 4.
She is committed to raising money for local charities; performances have included North Waltham Church for Mencap, Winchester Cathedral for Teenage Cancer Charity Trust, Chute Lodge for Wharf Children and the Alzheimer’s Society and St Mary’s Andover for Anton Rotary Club.
Clare is passionate about music education and has taught singing and piano for over 30 years. She is founder and MD of Andover Ladies Choir and has been the MD for Farleigh School Chapel Choir for over 17 years. She also ran Andover Youth Choir. Clare gives regular singing workshops including for Andover Kids on Track, Cheltenham Children’s Choir, Andover Rocks and Andover Crisis Centre. She has taken choirs to performances and festivals throughout the UK and Europe.
Clare is also a qualified Vocal Health First Aider who actively promotes good singing practice and maintaining a healthy voice.
Accompanist – Jonathan Hedgecock
Jonathan Hedgecock was born and brought up in Basingstoke. He started learning to play the piano when he was six and worked through the graded exams, passing Grade 8 when he was 18. He then embarked on a career in finance within the papermaking industry while keeping up the piano as a hobby.
Having joined Hampshire Harmony when it was Basingstoke Ladies' Choir as accompanist in December 1982, Jonathan cannot imagine life without it. He has done many arrangements for the choir which, popular with audiences, the ladies enjoy singing. He has been pleased to accompany the choir on their many overseas trips.
It is thanks to the choir that Jonathan met his wife Yvonne, who joined for a few years as a member. He enjoys spending time with Yvonne and their son Matthew, both of whom are great fans of the choir.
Our President – Sir Joe French
"I was delighted to be asked to become President of Basingstoke Ladies' Choir, now HAMPSHIRE HARMONY. Music has always been a great part of my life. In my school days I took piano lessons and I played the baritone in a local brass band. More widely, my musical education saw me attend the Rolling Stones concert in Colchester in 1964! Today the radio whether at home or in the car is tuned into a music channel. Music in its many forms is such a joy capturing your moods and reminding you of significant milestones in your life.
By way of background, I joined the Royal Air Force in 1967 and having trained as a helicopter pilot, Odiham became my home. I have served there several times down the years, our son was born there and we have had a house in the area for nearly forty years. With Royal Air Force Odiham having the Freedom of Basingstoke I have got to know the Town well at many levels. Today we get great delight in watching our young grandsons enjoying themselves in the Town’s parks.
Margaret my wife has been a member of the choir for over ten years. During that time I have got to know the choir and its music well. The choir is very much about team work and attending rehearsals I have seen at close quarters the time and effort needed to prepare for concert success. As well as the singing, the choir supports local charities and prides itself in being a significant part of the best of life in Basingstoke.
I very much look forward to meeting you, your family and friends at future choir concerts."
Sir Joe French
Our Patrons
Lady Mary Fagan
Lady Mary has been a resident of Hampshire for over fifty years. From 1994-2014 she was Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire and was a patron or president of many local and national organisations.
Lady Mary is a Dame of the Order of St John, the first Chancellor of the University of Winchester and is High Steward of the City of Winchester. She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 2009, and a Companion of the Order of St Swithun in 2017. Last year Lady Mary was appointed to be a Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
Dame Maria Miller DBE MP
Maria Miller is the Conservative MP for Basingstoke.
Maria was born in Wolverhampton on 26 March 1964. She is married to Iain Miller and they have three children, one daughter and two sons.
Educated at Brynteg Comprehensive, Bridgend, South Wales, Maria went on to study at London School of Economics.
Maria was first elected to represent Basingstoke in the 2005 General Election.
Before entering Parliament, Maria worked for 20 years in marketing, including board level experience, and appreciates some of the pressures faced by working parents.
On becoming a Member of Parliament, Maria was appointed to the Trade and Industry Select Committee. David Cameron appointed her as Shadow Minister for Education in December 2005, then Shadow Minister for Family Welfare in the Department for Work and Pensions in November 2006. Maria moved back to the Education team as Shadow Minister for the Family in July 2007 and remained in post until the 2010 General Election.
Maria was appointed Minister for Disabled People at the Department for Work and Pensions in the Coalition Government in May 2010 and was promoted to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and Minister for Women and Equalities, from September 2012 to April 2014.
In June 2015 Maria was elected as Chair of the newly established Women and Equalities Select Committee. Maria was nominated for the position by MPs across the House in 2017 and was re-elected unopposed.
In June 2022 Maria was recognised in Her Majesty the Queen's Jubilee Birthday Honours with the award of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for parliamentary and public services.
The Committee
 | CHAIRMAN: Corrine Hutchins As Chairman of Hampshire Harmony I have the overall pleasure of overseeing committee meetings, representing the choir at all official functions, giving out notices at rehearsals and generally liaising between the Music Director and other officers of the committee. |
Corrine Hutchins:
 | SECRETARY: Carey Stovold
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Carey Stovold:
 | TREASURER: Karen Charlesworth As Treasurer I will collect your Subs/Donations. These can be paid by cash, cheque or bank standing order, monthly or quarterly and I can give you a breakdown of the payments for your chosen method. |
Karen Charlesworth:
