Karen has been a passionate member of Surrey Harmony for over 25 years. Her aptitude for performing, her creativity, enthusiasm and organisational skills made her an inspirational member of Surrey Harmony both on and off the stage. Whatever her role, she throws herself into it with energy, seeing new challenges as opportunities for growth and always looking for creative ways to work and use her many skills.
Within six months of joining, Karen’ started singing in a quartet and competed at regional four times; most notably, coming third with Zig Zag, where she sang with Jenny Lawson (our founding Director), ex-Assistant Director, Judith Hunt and Trish Butler. She has also been on the front row, lead section leader and choreographer.
Off stage, Karen has used her organisational skills widely; she has served two terms as Vice President and is now Surrey Harmony’s current President. In this role, Karen’s teambuilding
skills and efficiency have been highlighted and she always brings with it a light-hearted and creative focus. She is always finding new ways to enhance the way we do things. As President, we’ve been entertained regularly with so many creative and fun posters that support chorus goals and ambitions as well as her chorus-themed beret! She also recently stepped in to support our Performance Organising and PR teams, with video-ing, Instagram and Facebook now added to her CV!
Having loved quartet singing, Karen has been keen to promote the experience. She instituted regular quartet evenings to encourage quartet singing amongst the chorus. Karen was instrumental in setting up our Diamond Club, where non singing members to stay in touch with the chorus. She has maintained strong and supportive ties with her Zig Zag friends, Jenny and Judith. For many years now, she supports and visits them weekly – crucially enabling them to maintain their friendship and continued links with the chorus. She does this with fortitude and positivity, whilst overcoming significant challenges because of their ill health. The love and support she has shown them has been nothing short of heroic.
Karen sees her presidency as her way of repaying everything she has received over the years from the chorus. Karen does it with gladness and gratitude. With her humility she declined our initial proposal for this award… it took all our persuasion for her to finally accept!