Taplow Girls’ Choir

Taplow Girls’ Choir is for girls ranging from school Year 5 up to Year 10 and entry is by audition. The choir has 45 members, aged 9 to 15.

They have performed at local concerts and enjoyed outside venues which include Reading Town Hall, with Chaconne Brass, Windsor Parish Church and the A.B.C.D. Convention Gala Concert in Guildford Cathedral. They have also sung at concerts as guests of the Laurie Holloway Trio. They have been regular visitors to St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, to sing Choral Evensong, and have also sung in Eton College Chapel. 

The Girls’ Choir meet on alternate Saturday afternoons during term time at Taplow Village Centre from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Interested in joining?

Vacancies arise each year when older girls move on to the Youth Choir.

Entry is by audition, during which singers are required to perform a prepared song of their choice, attempt a selection of vocal exercises to explore the range of the voice, and complete a simple aural tests. Auditions last about 10-12 minutes.

Membership of the choir implies commitment to (generally fortnightly) rehearsals and taking part in concerts, wherever they are held. Music is supplied on loan and members are expected to take care of it and hand it in when requested. Bespoke concert dress, made by our dedicated seamstress, is worn by members for all choir performances.

For more information, visit the Membership Recruitment page of our website, or contact Gillian Dibden directly on 07799 413746 or at gillian.dibden@gmail.com

About Taplow Girls’ Choir

Taplow Girls’ Choir is a vibrant and successful choir made up of girls from the areas around Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead, and beyond. There are 45 members in the choir and they rehearse on alternate Saturday afternoons.

The repertoire of the choir covers a broad range of pieces and is challenging for the age group. Many of the members play instruments to a high standard and this too enhances the musicianship potential.

Performances

The choir performs in venues around the area as well as further afield: from the Lichfield Festival and St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle; to Brussels Cathedral, Ghent Cathedral, Cologne Cathedral, Notre Dame Cathedral, Chartres Cathedral, and La Madeleine in Paris.

Partnerships with local music groups include Ascot Brass, Chaconne Brass, The Laurie Holloway Trio, Marlow Town Band, and Slough Philharmonic Society.

Past tours

• Slovenia
• The Rheinland
• France
• Belgium
• Paris

The choir also enjoys an annual residential weekend at Ufton Court in West Berkshire.

Competitions

• 2007
  2nd prize in the International Choral Competition, Celje, Slovenia. Also received the Adjudicators’ Prize for Best Performance of Compulsory Set Piece.
• 2008
  Finalists, Children’s category, BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year
• 2010
  2nd place in the Florilège Vocal de Tours international competition, France

Staff

Conductor Gillian Dibden is very pleased to share the work with vocal coach Caroline Fitzgerald, giving the opportunity to develop voices individually and to develop the vocal technique and sound of the choir.

Assistant Staff

Taplow Girls’ Choir regularly welcome the following staff to assist with rehearsals: Stephen Burrows, David Manners, Adam Treadaway, plus accompanists Neil Matthews and Roger Witney.