Cassandra, musical director, and writer and teacher of the harmonies; Charlotte, alto and captain of finance; Barbie, alto and sharer of showbiz secrets; Nikky, mezzo and captain of graphic design and marketing; Katie mezzo and bringer of tips from New York’s Broadway; Tracy, mezzo and the one with every song ever recorded stored in her back catalogue; Sarah, mezzo and occasionally secret soprano and always fashion expert; Karen B, soprano and rehearsal organiser; and Karen M, soprano and appliqué expert. This is a roll call of excellence that would, perhaps, be best played in by The Bugle Boy of Company B. They are The Vintage Singers, whose talent is in no way unsung but given out joyously, glamorously and harmoniously with a respectful nod to legendary singers of the past such as The Andrews Sisters. 

Cassandra Pattison is a musical theatre mainstay in the region. She has been musical director for many local groups, including Stamford Shoestring, Stamford Showstoppers, Rutland Musical Theatre and Ink Contemporary Theatre. She teaches violin, viola, piano and singing and is music specialist for St Augustine’s and Cottesmore Schools, amongst others. So, Cassandra seemed the natural person to be approached by the theatre at Stamford Corn Exchange and asked to form a choir for a one-off community event just over five years ago. The Vintage Singers were the result, as Cassandra explains: ‘I recruited the team mainly from my own contacts, but our ace sopranos, the two Karens, responded to my advert. After the initial concert, our plans were pretty quickly affected by Covid, but we had had such a brilliant time together and had got on so well that, during lockdown, we decided to keep going and to rehearse on Zoom. It gave us something to look forward to every week.’

The Vintage Singers now rehearse at Ryhall Methodist Hall, and the get-togethers sound a hoot. They are supremely dedicated to their craft, and all the members suggest new songs, which leads to a pretty wide repertoire. Given the inspiration of the music of the 1940s and 1950s, their set list includes staples such as Boogie Woogie, Bugle Boy and Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree. I defy you not to smile broadly through their rendition of When You’re Smiling, and their a cappella version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow is simply beautiful. However, The Vintage Singers also perform contemporary songs such as Mamma Mia and My Heart will Go On – inspired by Canadian group PostModern Jukebox, likewise known for transforming modern hits into vintage masterpieces.  

The current group is usually 9 or 10 strong, dependent on availability. Indeed, they sometimes out as a trio and, wherever they go, they are, in Cassandra’s proud words, ‘fantastic and glorious’. This is not a vain boast but Cassandra’s honest assessment of the ladies she works with week in week out. I saw The Vintage Singers at Ryhall Village Fête in the summer, and I can’t disagree with Cassandra’s view. I am sure the attendees at Wittering’s Remembrance Day Afternoon Tea event will concur and, by the time this article comes out, I will have seen them again at their Christmas Concert at Stamford’s Trinity Methodist Church.

Most of The Vintage Singers’ 2025 gigs, to date, are private events at weddings, care homes, etc. Cassandra often plays at weddings as a solo artist. They are booked to perform at Stamford’s VE Day celebrations and are regular guests and attendees at the International Bomber Command Centre’s annual ball and social weekend in Lincoln. Keep an eye out for them at local fêtes too and be ready to boogie woogie.

To book The Vintage Singers, go to their Facebook page or email thevintagesingersstamford@gmail.com