28 December 2018
Rachel Copley, President of Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus, has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours, for services to music charities and the community in South Yorkshire. “We could not be more thrilled and proud,” said Chorus Chairman Paul Henstridge. “We’ve always known she was a wonderful lady but it’s marvellous that she has been recognised by such a prestigious national award”.
Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus has benefitted from Rachel’s musical and leadership skills for
many years. She has sung with the Chorus for 46 years, been part of and led the committee,
and turned her hand to so many ‘smaller’ tasks that simply would not have taken place without her intervention. Current Chorus Administrator Anne Adams could not sing her praises highly enough (excuse the pun!) “Rachel has always been willing to step in to help if we have needed a leader at short notice, or to make someone’s day special – be that a wedding, the Meadowhall lights switch on, the annual Service of Remembrance for St Luke’s Hospice, or leading thousands singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ for Cancer Research UK. And of course, that’s only what she does for us! She really is phenomenal and this award could not have been more deserved.”
Rachel said “I’m absolutely thrilled! I feel very honoured to have this acknowledgment of something that is as close to my heart as music, in all its forms.”
Rachel was interviewed on BBC Radio Sheffield on New Year’s Day morning at 10.00 to 10.30.