Kathryn Sargent studied singing with Marjorie Thomas and David Johnston and holds diplomas from the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music and Trinity College of Music.

Early in her career she sang the role of Dido in a full stage production of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. This was followed by a performance with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz for a broadcast by Essex Radio.

Kathryn was offered many opportunities to perform as soloist, especially in oratorio and concert work. Amongst these were Vaughan Williams A Sea Symphony, Strauss Four Last Songs, Berlioz Les Nuits D'Eté, Verdi Requiem and Britten War Requiem.

With Sir David Willcocks she has been the soprano soloist in workshop performances of Brahms Requiem, Rutter Magnificat and Mozart Solemn Vespers.

Handel's Messiah is a regular event, particularly at Christmas, and Kathryn has sung in performances in the cathedrals at Wells, Lichfield, Derby, Birmingham and Arundel.

Kathryn has had the opportunity to work with several contemporary composers. The solo part in Stuart Johnson's Requiem was written for her, and she sang in the first performance in Lichfield Cathedral and as well as the London premiere.

She was also soloist in a performance of Paul Patterson's Millennium Mass at St John's Smith Square in the presence of the composer.

With the English Concert Singers, conducted by Roy Wales, Kathryn sang in the first performance of The Angry Garden by Michael Stimpson.As a member of the Singers Kathryn has sung throughout Europe, in Russia, Hungary, Poland, Australia, South Africa, Israel and China. She was soloist in Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem in Budapest with the Hungarian Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra and in Carmina Burana in the International Choral Festival in Szczecin, Poland.

Directed by John Hancorn, Kathryn sang the recently discovered Handel Gloria with the Sussex Baroque Players at Alfriston.She appears as soloist in a CD recording of Vivaldi's Gloria and on the English Concert Singers CD A Choral Kaleidoscope.

Kathryn's repertoire extends beyond the classical oratorio, opera and art song above into the contemporary and popular. Accompanied by her husband, Ray, she likes singing songs by Gershwin, Kern, Harry Warren and Claude-Michel Schönberg.

As well as performing, Kathryn enjoys all aspects of choir work. She directed the East Sussex Children's Choir on their trip to Forges-les-Eaux in France and also in their performance at the National Youth Music Festival at the Royal Festival Hall.

As co-director of Pro Musica she takes a special interest in working on vocal technique with the choir

Kathryn Sargent