The choir’s membership of sixty singers, aged between 14 and 18, is drawn from more than twenty-five schools in South Bucks, Berks and sometimes further afield. Rehearsals are held fortnightly and concerts are given far and wide, sometimes sharing with other groups and often with proceeds for different charities.
The choir enjoys a very varied repertoire and sings Choral Evensong annually in St George’s Chapel, Windsor. Tours in alternate years are the highlight of life in the choir, the two most recent destinations being Helsinki and Tallinn in 2024 and Bratislava and Budapest in 2026. Many members go on to enjoy choral scholarships at university, indeed two or three have travelled from Manchester and Durham to be with us today. It is a tremendous joy to work with these committed and motivated young singers and a privilege to be invited to perform at the abcd Convention this year. We are represented today by members who were on our summer tour, but minus some who have just started at university and are unable to join us.
Gillian Dibden ~ Director
Gillian studied piano and ‘cello at the Royal College of Music and always wanted to be a teacher, a career which she has loved for so many years. Following a long period teaching in school, and nearly as long working for the Berkshire County Music Service, she now enjoys freelance work as a vocal consultant and choir director. Her choirs have had success in both national and international competitions. Having founded Taplow Choirs in 2004, she continues to lead the organisation and feels privileged to work with so many talented young people. She received an MBE from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2009 and the Chair’s Award for Choir Director of the Year from abcd in 2014.
David Manners ~ Assistant Conductor
David combines choral singing and conducting with teaching and leading choral workshops. He is a tenor Lay Clerk in the choir of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Catsle. As well as assisting with the training of Taplow Youth Choir, he is chorus director at Marlow Community Choir. David also composes and has had many of his vocal, choral and educational works published.