Harrogate’s Sally McLean, vocal coach and musical director of Leeds-based women’s barbershop chorus, The White Rosettes, and Vale of York Barbershop Harmony Club, Spirit of Harmony, is part of a seven-strong jury on the BBC’s new Gareth Malone show, ‘The Naked Choir’, which is looking to find the country’s best amateur a cappella singing group.
Sally was approached by the BBC several months ago and has been busy filming up and down the country, alongside other expert musicians and directors, deciding which groups stay in the competition and which ones go home.
- Sally McLean became Musical Director of the White Rosettes in January 1998. Since taking over the role, she has led the chorus to new heights, winning seven national championships, and the hugely important European championship in 2009 and 2013. With Sally at the helm, the chorus has also had the honour of competing three times for the title of Llangollen Eisteddfod Choir of the World.
- It is Sally’s incredible musical ability, combined with her determination, ambition, leadership and motivational skills, that drives the chorus to ever greater achievements.
- Sally is a committed educator both within and outside of the chorus. Sally acts as vocal coach to a significant number of both men and women’s choruses and quartets across the country and is a regular and respected educator of other directors. In 2012, she gave a masterclass at the Association of British Choral Directors Annual Conference.
The show airs on Tuesday 22 September 2015 at 9pm on BBC2.
