Tunes of glory as teacher gets BEM
ATEACHER who has spent more than four decades keeping youngsters in tune has hit a high note in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.
Shirley Court, 61, from Macclesfield, has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to children’s singing.
She has been director of the Halle Children’s Choir since 2008, programme leader for the Halle mentoring scheme and conducts the Chanterelles ladies choir.
Her first role in children’s singing was when, as a sixth former at Macclesfield High School, she was put in charge of the year seven choir.
Shirley said: “It is very humbling and I feel very privileged to be rewarded for something that has given me so much pleasure.
”I have had amazing experiences and I think that singing makes such a valuable contribution to children’s general development.
”It is watching children make that journey from being shy to developing into performers. Singing is a great leveller for children from all walks of life.
”We all want to be part of something that makes us feel good and it is about engaging with them and passing on skills.”
Shirley, who is married with two step-sons, became a teacher after leaving school and began working with youth choirs.
When this year’s New Year’s Honours were announced she was described as ‘one of the most outstanding trainers of children’s choirs worldwide’. She has worked with the City of Birmingham Symphony Youth Chorus and has been director of Cheshire Youth Choir as well as running sessions in schools.
In September 2006 Shirley was awarded with an honorary degree from the University of Leicester for her work with young singers.
Shirley said: “I found out in mid-November when I got an official looking letter, at first I thought I must have driven in a bus lane.
”It was completely overwhelming to think someone like me can be so privileged to receive such an award.”