The VU Sound
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Musical Director:
Ria Keen

Ria is a vocal coach and performer of international repute. As a lead singer, session vocalist, recording artist and arranger she has worked with household names in such venues as The London Palladium, Blenheim Palace, The Hippodrome and the Delfont Room in the West End, Lincoln Castle and countless theatres throughout the UK. Ria is also one of the UK's leading contemporary vocal coaches, holding both a Master's degree and a PhD in contemporary vocals / education. She is Principal of contemporary-vocals college VIDLA. 
OBL (Our Beloved Leader, as we call her!) is the driving force and the passion behind VU's incredible energy and is responsible, in a very literal way, for The VU Sound. Has, upon occasion, been described as 'lairy'. We couldn't possibly comment.

Manager:
Anne Bradshaw

Anne is a Worcester Ambassador and the amazing Chief of Operations at VU Towers! She handles the day-to-day business affairs of The VU Sound, including the huge amount of administration that goes with running a group of 120 people. She organises auditions, liaises with venues and bookers, and generally ensures that VU runs like a well-oiled machine. This she does with a smile on her face, a song in her heart, and tweeting birdies circling her head. She's also a dab hand with a colour-coded spreadsheet. Ask anybody. 


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Assistant Musical Director:
Stuart Lee

Stu is a Salford-trained musician who plays rockin' bass, rhythm and lead guitars and can often be seen and heard accompanying The VU Sound in their live performances, rock-god stylee. An accomplished vocalist, he also functions as leader of 'the blokes' in VU, keeping them right on target when OBL has thrown them yet another bunch of musical curveballs in an arrangement! 
Stu is a perfectionist in all things, and never more so than when he's leading a rehearsal, or breaking down a tricky phrase for the VU members, with whom he is very popular. Supports Manchester City, but we don't hold that against him. Also provides some much-needed testosterone in the largely female VU team! 

Dance Captain:
Britt Packer

Britt is the Mistress of Movement, and plays a vital role in shaping VU's performance skills. A professional dancer (she trained at Doreen Bird), and more recently a qualified singing teacher specialising in working with children's voices, she expertly and patiently guides the VU members in how to move confidently, freely and with impact. Britt has been singing with The VU Sound since Day 1, but since joining the creative team, she has unleashed a whole new set of skills in the VU members, most of whom can't believe that they are able to move with such panache! Britt is married to one of VU's ace baritones, Phil, and between them they have brought to VU the habit of retiring to the pub for a swift half or three after rehearsals every Tuesday! 
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Keeper of the Faith: Martin Bradshaw

Martin is not only the Keeper of the Faith (VU's first member and most stalwart supporter) but also the Keeper of the Register, the Fire Safety Officer, the Health & Safety officer and the legal go-to guy. And in real life, he's not nearly as geeky as that makes him sound! 

Deputy Musical Director:
Anna Martin

This super-talented lady has a razor-sharp ear for precision, which has earned her the nickname 'Bat Ears'! Perhaps not the most flattering of terms, but it's meant most affectionately! 
Anna has a degree in music, plays the violin and piano, and specialises in bringing music skills to pre-school children across Worcestershire. Anna firmly believes that if young children are encouraged to be creative in music making it will help support their development and benefit them in later life.We can't think of anyone better than this lady to bring music to the new generation. 
In VU, Anna heads up the 'meat in the sandwich' F2 group of rockin' mezzos, and like Stu, keeps a very keen ear on detail, detail, detail (it's where the devil is, y'know)....... In performance, she can be seen leading by example in the front row, giving it 100%.
She's impossibly elegant, beautiful and talented, which the boys love and the girls try not to mind. If only she wasn't so nice............
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Captain Choral:
David Payne

David, who actually isn't 'choral' at all but a kickin' contemporary vocalist, fulfils an indispensable role at VU - he writes the legendary 'Blokes Notes' after every rehearsal, reminding his Comrade Brethren where they went wrong and what needs improving. It's probably just as well he's a popular sort........
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Bill & Diane Adams:
Technical Support

Bill is a semi-professional musician and experienced soundman, and together with his wife Diane looks after The VU Sound every Tuesday during rehearsals, and at some gigs. Without these two lovely folks, rehearsals would be a lot more difficult and lot less fun - they make sure that we have a great environment in which to rehearse, and we wouldn't be without them!