Sam Hayes

Sam Hayes grew up in the Home Counties, and studied Music at Cambridge University, holding the Organ Scholarship at Queens’ College. He later went on to achieve the Associateship, Fellowship and Choral Directing Diplomas of the Royal College of Organists in the space of one year, in the latter, winning both of the major prizes. He later studied Choral Directing in Uppsala (Sweden), and Paris. Following his graduation, he taught and examined for the Music Degree at Cambridge, and later held the post of Musician in Residence at King Edward VI Upper School, Bury St Edmunds, where he taught A-level Music.

Between 2005 and 2022, he was Director of Music at Great St Mary’s, The University Church, Cambridge, latterly also holding the historic and prestigious office of University Organist. Here, his responsibilities included playing the organ and directing the 70-strong choral foundation in services, concerts and recordings. He moved, with his young family, to the West Midlands in summer 2022, and was delighted to join Stafford Choral Society in January 2023 as their Assistant Musical Director and accompanist. Sam worked closely with MD Charlie Perry for two years and in January 2025 took over as Musical Director.

Sam also holds the positions of Chorus Director at Buxton Musical Society and Senior Choir leader of Ex Cathedra’s Academy of Vocal Music in Birmingham.

Alongside his new musical projects in the Midlands, he maintains ties with his roots and continues to direct Godalming Choral Society and Godalming Children’s Choir in West Surrey. Outside of music, his passions include walking, cooking, DIY and classic cars.

Assistant MD/accompanist: Russell Medley

Russell Medley trained at the Royal Manchester and Royal Northern Colleges of music where he studied piano, conducting, double bass and composition achieving, amongst other things, the Performance Diploma with Distinction in Accompaniment. On completing his studies, he joined the staff of the RNCM, firstly as an accompanist in the school of Keyboard Studies and later as a repetiteur in the school of Vocal and Opera Studies. He also studied organ with Michael English and joined Sale Choral Society as accompanist under Michael’s direction. At this time he was also awarded the Accompanists Prize in the NW Arts concert series.

During his career he has recorded for the BBC, ITV and Radio Telefis Eireann and worked with numerous international singers and conductors. He has accompanied many choral societies as well as guesting as conductor, and has led masterclasses both in the UK and abroad.

Russell has been Musical Director of the Northern England Chorale, The Lindow Singers and Hoylake Choral Society. He has recently celebrated 40 years as MD of Sale Choral Society. For many years he was Accompanist and Asst Chorus Master to the Halle Choir in Manchester and in September 2024 was appointed accompanist to the Leeds Philharmonic Chorus, a role he is thoroughly enjoying.