Ben England, Musical Director
Born in Surrey, Ben grew up in Essex where his talent for singing developed at an early age. In junior and secondary school, he spent much of his time singing with various local choirs, as well as prestigious groups such as the St. Paul's Cathedral Choir and the Choir of Westminster Cathedral. At the age of 17, he passed his Grade 8 piano examination with distinction, despite never having had a piano lesson!
He went on to study music at the University of Bristol, specialising in composition and conducting under Alan Rump. He was Conductor of the University Chamber Choir and Musical Director of the University Opera on no less than four occasions, including the critically acclaimed production of Don Giovanni in 1999.
After graduation, Ben was in great demand as a choral and solo singer, singing with groups as diverse as the New English Orchestra for which he was also Assistant Conductor, the Bristol Chamber Choir, the Exultate Singers and the Choir of Clifton Cathedral. A bass baritone, he has performed as a soloist in performances of the St. John Passion and Faure's Requiem to critical acclaim. Increasingly approached as a musical director, he has conducted ensembles in and around Bristol as a rehearsal conductor.
In 2002, Ben was appointed Conductor of the Bristol Cabot Choir, a position which he still holds. In this role, he transformed the choir into a major musical force in Bristol. The success of his work with the Cabot Choir led to his subsequent appointment as Musical Director of Bristol Opera, where he led the company in successful performances of Handel's Samson and Lakmé by Delibes. He also loves ensemble singing, and is a member of Amorata, an eight-part close harmony group.
In 2003, he gave up the carefree life of a web designer, having built one too many websites. He embarked on a completely new career teaching music, and within a short time, was appointed Head of Music at a comprehensive school in South Gloucestershire where he currently teaches. He is married, and lives in Horfield with his wife and a mad cat!
As a conductor, Ben prizes 'emotional honesty and musical accuracy', and is never afraid to give anything less than total enthusiasm and commitment. He is a conducting pupil of Denise Ham, head of choral conducting at the Royal Academy of Music.
Matthew Goh, Accompanist
Matthew was born in Malaysia and received his education at Penang Free School, Southeast Asia's first and oldest English school. He began studying the piano at the age of seven and received his early tuition from several teachers including Tan Shoon Chi. Following a successful audition in 1990, he was accepted as a pupil of Joe Emuang, a highly respected piano teacher on the island. Under his tutelage, Matthew obtained the Performer's Certificate in 1991 and was awarded the Licentiate Diploma in Piano Performance from Trinity College London in 1994.
Matthew has performed in many recitals and concerts, both as a soloist and as an accompanist. In 1992, he accompanied the Penang Free School Choir which won first prize in the Penang Pesta Muzik Choir Competition. Two years later, he accompanied Linda Choong in the Malaysian Northern Region Classical Song Contest for which he received high praise from the judges.
A self-taught clarinettist, Matthew has played in the Penang Free School Band, the Penang Combined Schools' Band and was the principal clarinettist of the Penang Symphony Orchestra. In 1992, he was chosen by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism to represent Malaysia in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Youth Symphonic Band Workshop in Singapore.
Whilst studying medicine at Leicester University, he was awarded the Leicester University Music Scholarship for three consecutive years in 1996, 1997 and 1998. During this time, he was the accompanist for the Leicester University Singers and performed with the Leicester University Orchestra in a number of concerts.
In April 2005, Matthew was appointed accompanist to the New Harmony Ladies Choir of Bristol and he is currently the choir répétiteur for the Bristol Cabot Choir. Recent teachers include Dennis Lee, Allan Schiller and Marlene Fleet.
Executive Committee
Chairperson Margaret Pearson
Vice-Chairperson Eileen Endean
Secretary Joan Lovell
Treasurer Christine Dean
Concert Secretary Jennifer Whitlock
Public Relations Nicola Moore
Social Committee
Social Secretaries Trish Aston
Ruth Crosby
Soprano
Jackie Cross, Section Leader
Trish Aston
Myra Bryant
Lynne Crawshaw
Pam Evans
Alicia Foster
Pat Higgins
Judith Hill
Joan Lovell
Diane Main
Jill Masters
Marjorie Moore
Sheila Peters
Marion Powell
Sally Pratt
Victoria Russell
Norah Verstraeten
Mezzo Soprano
Pauline Mills, Section Leader
Sue Andrews
Lesley Blanning
Christine Dean
Jane Ellison
Jean Gray
Val Hardisty
Elf Harris
Rachael Joyner
Chris McGreevy
June Moore
Nicola Moore
Julie Morrow
Julia O'Shea
Angela Peacock
Teresa Peacock
Sue Rivers
Barbara Sims
Viv Thorne
Jennifer Whitlock
Marie Williams
Contralto
Flavia Summers, Section Leader
Diane Bean
Kath Bell
Christine Carter
Pam Cottee
Lynne Croome
Ruth Crosby
Eileen Endean
Sheila Jones
Val Keates
Terri Lavis
Kay Marks
Margaret Pearson
Marlene Schiller
Frances Sheppard
Rita Yam