Ann Pinhey, who has been a major force in the Petersfield music scene for decades, including the Festival, was awarded a BEM in the 2023 New Year Honours List for services to music, choirs, and charities.
Ann took over the Harting Choral Society in the late 1970’s before going on to be at the helm of several local musical groups including Musica Sacra. She founded the Petersfield Chamber choir in 2000 which she conducted in the 2001 Festival Gala concert and in the “Jubilee Concert” in 2012. Under Ann’s direction the Thursday Singers sang in the Petersfield Festival chorus concerts in the 1990’s; she was due to close the 2021 Festival with a concert by her multi-talented ensemble, the Gemini consort (cancelled due to Covid-19).
A regular contributor to the Petersfield Post and Herald, Ann has written multiple reviews of Festival concerts. She is on record as saying, “It is difficult being a music critic for a local paper, as you often have to review the performances of people you know. I do have high standards and people are at liberty to disagree with me.”
In terms of her contribution to the community, Ann has made a principle of not charging for her concerts, asking only for donations to charities in particular the Rosemary Foundation hospice at home for which funds were raised at her concert on December 17th in St Peter’s church.
Read more about Ann on the Music in Portsmouth website.
Sarah Hard
