Updates from Taplow Choirs

New members welcome at renowned Taplow Youth Choir

Thought of joining a lively youth choir? We are looking for new members to join us from this September.

Visit a rehearsal on 14 or 28 September 2024.

Taplow Youth Choir meets alternate Saturdays in term time, from 4.30pm-7.00pm. It is for girls in school Year 11+, and boys with changing voices.

Making music with us is fun and rewarding

  • Friendly & vibrant atmosphere
  • Fast-paced rehearsals
  • Members from over 20 schools
  • Nationally renowned

Email Gillian or telephone her: 07799 413746

Youth Choir depart for Finland and Estonia tour

Taplow Youth Choir have set off for their 2024 tour, with performances scheduled in Helsinki, Tartu, and Tallinn.

Taplow Youth Choir members managed an early alarm call, to catch the pre-dawn coach to the airport ahead of their tour of Finland and Estonia.

Over the next week, the choir will enjoy spending time socially together, as well as the opportunity to sing in a range of wonderful venues. Scheduled performances include:

Our 2024 souvenir tour programme, including running-orders for the four concerts, can be downloaded here.

We are thrilled to be able to share good wishes for the choir, from our supporters:

Wishing the brilliant Taplow Youth Choir a wonderful and successful tour. You are a special group of committed people, bursting with talent and fabulous musicianship. Treasure the music making and the friendship.

Neil Ferris
Chorus Director, BBC Symphony Chorus

Ascot Brass has the privilege of sharing the stage with the Taplow Youth Choir at our annual Christmas concert. Their enthusiasm for singing and the quality of training shines through their performance. All at Ascot Brass wish the Choir well for their tour.

Ian Jeffery
Band Manager, Ascot Brass

Free workshop for young singers on 9 September

Gillian Dibden and Ben de Souza invite young singers to a workshop hosted by Taplow Children’s Choir at 10am on 9 September 2023

🕙 10.00am–11.00am, Saturday 9 September
📍 Taplow Village Centre SL6 0ET (plenty of free parking)
📞 Contact Gillian on 07799 413746, or just come along

Gillian Dibden and Ben de Souza invite young singers to a workshop hosted by Taplow Children’s Choir.

It will be an exciting session for boys and girls, from Year 3 to Year 6, and is free to attend. The hour will be filled with fun songs, drama games, and some serious learning as well.

All are welcome.

 

Welcome to 2023’s new members

We are pleased to reveal the names of new members, who have successfully auditioned for the Taplow Girls’ and Youth Choirs.

Welcome to the following new members who, after successful auditions, will be joining in September:

Taplow Girls’ Choir: Imogen, Radhika, Hope B., Lizzie, Isabella, Orla, Hope J.

Taplow Youth Choir: Ellie, Sacha, Polly, Bee, Mimi, Millie, Daisy, Jamie, Anike, Eve, Charlotte, Tom, Kieran


There are places available in Girls’ Choir – Year 5 – Year 9.

There are places available in Youth Choir for sopranos, tenors and basses. 

For more information, contact Gillian Dibden: 07799 413746 / 01628 914882.

Open Rehearsals: dates announced for 2023

Open Rehearsals will be held on 22 April, 20 May, and 3 June.

Singers considering joining our auditioned choirs are welcome at our Open Rehearsals, held each spring, for a no-obligation chance to experience Taplow’s sound and style. Auditions will then be held in June.

Taplow Youth Choir members in rehearsal, seen through an open doorway at the Village Hall.
Rehearsals take place at Taplow Village Centre.

Dates for this year’s Open Rehearsals have now been announced. Prospective members are welcome to try Taplow Girls’ Choir (2pm-4pm) or Taplow Youth Choir (4:30pm-7pm) on either:

  • Saturday 22nd April
  • Saturday 20th May
  • Saturday 3rd June

All rehearsals take place at Taplow Village Centre.

Just come along, or let Gillian Dibden know you’re coming on 07799 413746 or email gillian.dibden@gmail.com

You can also contact Gillian if you are keen to know more about our choirs but can’t manage any of the above dates.

New members are generally welcome to join our Children’s and Boys’ Choirs at any time of year. Get in touch to attend a try-out session.

Ben de Souza makes debut with Taplow Children’s and Boys’ Choirs

Young singers from across the area have given their first concert under new conductor, Ben de Souza.

Young singers from across the area have given their first concert under new conductor, Ben de Souza.

The Taplow Children’s Choir, for 7- to 11-year-olds, appeared alongside the Taplow Boys’ Choir, in a concert at St Nicolas’ Church on Sunday (4 December). They were joined by children from the Slough Youth Soul Choir, under the direction of Rebecca Richardson.

The programme included a range of festive favourites and congregational carols. Young soloists from each of the choirs also showcased their talents.

Mr de Souza, 28, was appointed leader of the junior Taplow Choirs sections in September. He is himself a former member of the organisation, having sung in their Youth Choir during his teenage years.

He said: “It’s been a bit of history repeating itself, as I always loved the tradition of singing in the Christmas concerts as part of Taplow Choirs.

“To now be working with the younger choirs, and playing a part in the musical education of these wonderful young people, is such a joy,” he added. “I am very proud to be doing this job.”

Ben de Souza sat with choirs
Ben de Souza sat with Taplow Children’s and Boys’ Choirs at his first concert since becoming their leader.

More than 50 children took part in Sunday’s concert, including 38 from the Taplow-based music group.

It has already been a busy month for the organisation, whose members are drawn from across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. As well as the unauditioned groups, Taplow Choirs includes sections for more developed voices, under the direction of Gillian Dibden MBE.  

On Saturday, her Girls’ Choir sang in a performance of Benjamin Britten’s cantata ‘Saint Nicolas’. It followed a high-profile charity concert in London, involving the Taplow Youth Choir and celebrity guests including Mary Berry. The Youth Choir will also perform at Ascot Brass’s annual Christmas concert, taking place at St Mary’s Church in Maidenhead this Saturday (10 December).

There are still spaces for primary-aged children wishing to join the Taplow Children’s and Boys’ Choirs in the New Year. For more information,  gillian.dibden@gmail.com

Congratulations to 2022’s new members

After successful auditions, we look forward to welcoming new members to our Girls’ and Youth Choirs, in September 2022.

We will be welcoming the following

…to Taplow Girls’ ChoirEmilia, Zoe, Lucy, Lara, Emilia,  Aira, Sophia, Naomi, Isobel, Rose, Giaan.

…and to Taplow Youth ChoirFia, Katie, Avneet, Jemima, Milly, Josie, Sophia, Tabitha, Raphael, Thomas, Ethan, Gabriel.

Gillian says: “I hope you will enjoy a long and happy membership.