Meet Our Soloists & Guest Organist

27 September 2026
Sarah Mills
Concerts

To celebrate six decades of St Botolph’s Music Society, we will be joined by outstanding local soloists, Melinda and James Greenfield.

Melinda studied music at King’s College London as well as studying violin at the Royal Academy of Music with Susan Collier. James studied cello at the Royal College of Music and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music.

Today, they enjoy varied careers as performers and teachers. They have also performed together many times. Their work as a duo includes recordings, weddings and concerts. In addition, they perform regularly as part of the Ariori String Quartet at Fever Candlelight Concerts in Colchester, Ipswich, and Brentwood.

Melinda and James have also worked on television. They regularly performed with the Billroth Ensemble for Dave Gorman’s Modern Life is Goodish. They have also played for recordings and performances with artists including Rick Wakeman, The Puppini Sisters and, X-Factor.

Together, Melinda and James co-founded the Play Strings Academy in Colchester. The music school teaches children and adults to play string instruments. It also places a particular focus on developing chamber music skills. The Play Strings Orchestra has toured Europe several times, performing at venues across England, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Away from performing and teaching, Melinda and James enjoy spending time with their two boys, Leo and Oliver.

Guest Organist

Also featuring in our 60th Anniversary Gala Concert is Philip Elwell, who will perform the organ part in Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3, “Organ Symphony”.

Philip studied piano and organ at Trinity College of Music. Since completing his postgraduate studies, he has enjoyed a successful concert career in Colchester, London, and the surrounding area. He is currently the principal organist of St Botolph’s Church.

Philip has performed with SBMS several times over the past 36 years. His most recent appearance was in July 2024, when he performed Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25. His performance of Saint-Saëns’ “Organ Symphony” marks his first time performing this spectacular work with SBMS.

Our 60th Anniversary Gala Concert will be held on Saturday, 21 November 2026.

Sarah Mills

Sarah’s musical journey began at the age of 4, when she picked up her first recorder - an Early Learning Centre green recorder! She took up the violin at 7, followed by the clarinet at 10, partly inspired by her late grandfather, who also played the clarinet. She studied clarinet initially with Susan Boddy before moving to Sue Barber, and later returning to Susan Boddy. From 1991 to 2000, she attended the Saturday morning music school run by Essex Music Service, helping to develop her love of music from an early age.

Sarah first tried out for St Botolph’s Music Society around 2000-02. Although circumstances meant she was only able to attend one rehearsal at the time, she eventually found her way back to the Society, joining the second violin section in September 2016. She became section leader in 2023.

Alongside her musical activities, Sarah studied with the Open University, graduating in 2012 with a BA (hons) in Humanities with German and Music. She now plays an active role both on and off the concert platform as Secretary of the SBMS committee. She also looks after the Society’s website and ticketing, and leads its marketing and communications.

With both a love of performing and a passion for helping the Society thrive, Sarah enjoys being part of the team both on and off the concert platform.

Guest Organist

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Sarah Mills

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