Offering a sparkling evening of opera and musical classics

Christian de L'Argy

“Born in the wagon of a travelling show, his mamma had to sing for the money they’d throw” . Well, not exactly, Christian is the son of a professional singer and was bitten by the 'performing bug' at an early age. He was a member of the Northamptonshire County Youth Group and from there graduated to several amateur operatic societies, progressing from “third spear-carrier on the right” to, eventually, taking on leading roles such as Curly in Oklahoma, The Emcee in Cabaret and Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar.

After moving to Norwich, Christian has been an active member of the Maddermarket Theatre Company, and has taken part in many of their productions.

Since begging, unashamedly, to be allowed to join the Upper Octave, he has had the positions of “Artistic Director” and “Choreographer” thrust upon him. (“I guess nobody else wanted them...!” – said Christian in a recent AGM). So if you have any complaints about the content/choreography of any of our shows, blame me! (Only, you’ll have to complain via Martyn, because I’m really very shy!)

Rachel Duffield

Rachel is a classically trained mezzo-soprano with broad experience on the local amateur and semi-professional circuit. On stage over the last twenty years she has had a go at everything from panto to opera and comedy to tragedy. Rachel travelled all over the UK and to Europe as an original member of close harmony trio American Tan.

In musical theatre, Rachel has played many, varied roles including Babe in Pajama Game, Jackie in Me and My Girl, Laurie in Oklahoma, Anita in West Side Story, Eva Peron in Evita, and, more recently, Fantine in The Upper Octave’s own concert performance of songs from Les Misérables.

Rachel’s diverse vocal styles include close harmony and choral work, soul, jazz, G&S and opera. Rachel also sings with the recently formed musical theatre quartet, VocalScore.

A very accomplished performer, Rachel has a voice once described as ‘smooth as melted chocolate’.

John Griffin

John has been involved in amateur theatre & music productions over the past twenty years, principally as a member of The Sewell Barn Theatre Company and Great Hall Theatre Company in Norwich. He has recently held principal roles in Noises Off; the stage adaptation of the film A Matter of Life And Death; Ted Tally's story of Scott & Amundsen, Terra Nova; as well as The Importance of Being Earnest and My Boy Jack.

John was also part of the very successful Sewell Barn production of Godspell and has performed in various light operatic/musical productions in both Norwich and Grantham. His musical production resume includes Annie Get Your Gun, Half A Sixpence and Hans Andersen and taken principal roles in G&S, including Strephon in Iolanthe and Luiz in The Gondoliers.

He has recently been involved in an Old Time Music Hall production at Weston Longville ,which led him to join the company for a newly written musical work, Angelis. He worked with both Martyn Shults and Gus Woodcock on this project culminated in an invitation to warble and croon with The Upper Octave. Hurrah!

Joan Hocking LLCM

Joan has studied classical singing and musical theatre since she was 13, obtaining a Licentiate (Hons) in Music Theatre from the London College of Music in 1999.

She started her performing career early at Sunday School and has been a member of many church choirs and choral groups. Her first solo performance "Edelweiss" was with the Attleborough Nomads, a local touring theatre & musical group. Since then Joan was runner up for the best "Classical Performer" in Junior Startime, and has been awarded distinctions at Norwich Music Festival for Oratorio, Operatic Aria, German Leider, Music Theatre and Folk Singing.

She been a member of a number of amateur operatic societies throughout Norfolk. Joan has taken principal roles in many popular musicals including Laurie in Oklahoma, Mary Brown in Calamity Jane, Mabel in Pyjama Game, Grace in Annie, Eurydice in Orpheus in the Underworld and Casilda in The Gondoliers, as well as principal boy and character roles in numerous pantomimes.

Joan is also an accomplished actor winning the Breckland Festival "Best Actress" award 3 times.

She currently studies with Carole Tims (founder and director of the Broadland Youth Choir) and semi-professionally sings at weddings.

Annette Phillips

Annette is making her return to singing this year, having had some ‘time out,’ for the last 6 years to devote her attention to her 2 small children.

She began singing at the age of 10 in the seaside town of Hunstanton, where she grew up. Between the age of 10 and 18 she appeared in over 50 shows locally, with roles such as Snow White and Laurie in Oklahoma; whilst receiving classical voice training and dance lessons. During college Annette produced and directed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and also performed there as Rapunzel in a Cambridge Footlights production of ’Into the Woods.’ After finishing her education and training as a teacher she went on to the Guildford Conservatoire to pursue her first love of performing, here she gained a Post Graduate Certificate in Musical Theatre. She also took on the roles of Amalia in ‘She loves me,’ and Rapunzel (again)in ‘Into the Woods.

Annette worked professionally between 1999 and 2003 both in and out of London, singing in The Thursford Christmas Extravaganza and performing in Repertory Theatre in Newbury; as well as being on stage with some great British actors for The Noel Coward Centenary Gala at The Savoy Theatre.

Annette is a newcomer to Norwich and has recently become involved in some small Theatre Companies there. In 2009 she played Flora Poste in a production of ‘Cold Comfort Farm’ and in July 2010 she starred as Cathy in ‘Wuthering Heights’ at the Assembly Rooms.

Annette is thrilled to have found the Upper Octave and is loving being back on stage singing with them, "it’ s like coming home."

Martyn Shults ALCM

Martyn 'has a voice that is capable of impressing any West End producer' (The Stage). Martyn has performed at the Queen's Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue for Cameron Mackintosh and Trevor Nunn where he was offered the part of 'Enjolras' in 'Les Miserables'. Martyn is an extremely versatile singer; in addition to working in the UK club circuit he has performed as a guest at Norwich's Theatre Royal, and as a soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Attaining ALCM and enjoying teacher training from Judy Reid, Martyn now teaches singing and performance privately and as a peripatetic teacher for the county's schools. He is a founder member and the Chairman of the Upper Octave, and holds the dubious accolade of being the only performer to have sung in every single show.

Gus Woodcock

Singing sacred music and choral ensembles with, amongst others, the Keswick Hall Choir, Gus has sung in numerous festivals in London and Paris. This work includes a number of world premieres of new pieces, and several released recordings.
Gus sung as the soloist in one of the first UK performances of Dubois' Seven Last Words of Christ, and was invited to Germany to sing the bass solo in performances of Stainer's Crucifixion, and to France for Handels Messiah.

Singing the repetoire of both grand and light opera, his solo roles include Angelotti in Tosca, Yamadori in Madame Butterfly, Schaunard in La Bohème, and Tom Jones in German's Tom Jones.

Singing with Claxton Opera, Gus performed The Magic Flute in Germany.

A personal highlight for Gus was singing with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in her 2003 Christmas concert

Heather Woodcock

Singing has always played a central role in Heather's life. She has sung in all grand opera, operetta, musical, oratorio and choral genres with a number of opera companies. Heather has participated in numerous productions at home and abroad, singing amongst others, Kate Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly, and Katie Brown in The Beggar's Opera.

With the Verdi, Octagon, UEA and Norwich Festival choirs, Heather has performed in all the major choral works.

Singing with the Upper Octave has given Heather the opportunity to enjoy performing songs from stage and screen. Recently Heather played Madame Thenardier in the Upper Octave's own concert production of Les Misérables, and was delighted to appear in the regional premiere of Cole!

Heather is also a member of the Maddermarket Theatre Company, giving her the chance to add stage work skills to her undoubted vocal talents.