About Us

Bracknell Choral Society was founded in 1960 with 14 members. We now have about 100 members. In most seasons we perform two major and two smaller concerts in the Bracknell area. In recent concerts we have sung major works by Elgar, Walton, Bach, Beethoven and many others. To see what we have performed recently, click here.

Our smaller concerts consist of a Christmas Carol Concert each December and a summer concert at the end of June with themes like 'A Night at the Opera' or 'A Victorian Serenade'. During school term time we rehearse from 7.30 pm for two hours each Wednesday evening at Ranelagh School, Bracknell.

Producing concerts is an expensive activity, and we are grateful to receive financial assistance from seasonal sponsors and our friends. The Society is a Registered Charity (No 282753).

Our Patron is Ronald Corp, Founder and Artistic Director of the New London Orchestra and New London Children's Choir, and Musical Director of the London Chorus and Highgate Choral Society. The New London Orchestra has gained an excellent reputation for its innovative programming, and Ronald Corp has made it his mission to breathe new life into a wealth of little-known music from the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, as well as commissioning many new works. Corp's engagements have included concerts with many well known orchestras. He also works regularly with the BBC Singers, and at the BBC Promenade Concerts, where he has conducted the 'Family Prom', and the 'Children's Prom'.

Our President is Barnaby Smith who was Musical Director of Bracknell Choral Society from 2006 to 2011 and is delighted to continue his association with us. He co-founded Voces Cantabiles Music and is Artistic Director of the not-for-profit Music Foundation. Currently a member of the internationally renowned a cappella ensemble, VOCES8, Barnaby tours the world performing over 100 concerts across four continents annually. Barnaby’s musical career began as a treble in the choir of Westminster Abbey and he has recently completed his studies in Specialist Early Music Performance at the Schola Cantorum where he continues to learn with Andreas Scholl. Barnaby is also an alumnus of the Britten-Pears Young Artists Programme.

As a countertenor soloist Barnaby has appeared across the World. UK Highlights include concerts at the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Purcell Room, the Wigmore Hall, St John Smith Square and the Royal Opera House. Performances include Bach’s St Matthew Passion with Mazaaki Suzuki and Vivaldi’s Gloria and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with the Orchestra of Opera North. In Europe Barnaby has collaborated with amongst others, Il Virtuosi Delle Muse under the baton of Stefano Molardi (Bach: St John Passion). Future engagements include Bach’s Cantatas with Les Inventiones and the Orchestra of Opera North and a recording of Benedetto Marcello’s Psalms of David.

As a conductor and interpreter Barnaby is highly regarded for his work in the Choral, Baroque and Film genres. Barnaby is Principal Conductor of the Senesino Players and the British Film Orchestra with whom he is currently recording the London 2012 Olympic Mascots Film Scores. Barnaby is also delighted to be President of Bracknell Choral Society.

On disc Barnaby has released commercially on Universal, Sony, Naxos, Signum Classics and VCM Records.

Our Musical Director is Greg Hallam. Greg was educated at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester and, in July 2010, graduated from the Royal Academy of Music, London, having studied Choral Conducting with Patrick Russill and Paul Brough. He was awarded a MA and LRAM, both with distinction. Greg gained his bachelor degree from the Royal College of Music where he studied voice with Ashley Stafford.

Greg was a member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain for ten years and was Baritone section leader for several courses. He toured twice with NYC and has now returned as a member of staff for the National Youth Choirs. Greg was Musical Director for the Boys' Choir course in April this year.

Currently, Greg teaches singing at Lady Margaret's School in Parson's Green, London, and runs six weekly choirs. He was Chorus Master for Bracknell Choral Society from January 2010 to July 2011, and is very excited to have now become Musical Director. Greg has also recently been appointed Musical Director of the Swansea Bach Choir.

2008 saw the re-establishment of the 'Penkhull Festival of Music and Art' in Stoke-on-Trent headed by Greg in his position as Artistic Director. Penkhull has enjoyed four successful years of performances by artists such as The Swingle Singers, Voces8, The Little Baroque Company and Gwilym Simcock.

Nick Austin, our Accompanist is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he studied under Carola Grindea and Harold Dexter.

Nick joined Stanmore Choral Society as Musical Director in September 2006. Performances since then have included Haydn's Creation, Schubert's Mass in G, Mozart's Requiem, Faure's Requiem, Vivaldi's Gloria, Handel's Dixit Dominus, Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle and Brittens' St Nicolas performed with members of the award-winning a cappella group, Voces8 and the Senesino Players. The highlight of 2009 was conducting Stanmore Choral Society, Harrow Choral Society, Harrow Philharmonic Choir & the Trinity Orchestra at St Alban's Cathedral in a performance of Elgar's The Music Makers and Karl Jenkins The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace.

An avid showtune lover, Nick has been Musical Director for the Crowthorne Musical Players since 1988: recent productions have included Guys & Dolls, Carousel, Pirates of Penzance (Broadway Version), Oklahoma, Singin' in the Rain, Annie Get Your Gun, South Pacific and The Boyfriend.

Nick has been rehearsal pianist for the Bracknell Choral Society since 1981 and conducted a complete Messiah for the society in November 2005. He regularly accompanies and plays continuo in their concerts. He has also conducted their last two carol concerts. His recent composition, "A Bunch of Flowers" was commissioned by Bracknell Choral to celebrate their 50th anniversary and was performed at their Summer Concert in 2011.

Nick orchestrates, arranges and composes for various musical and dance groups. Much of his output is tailor-made music for dance schools and amateur choral groups.

updated 5-feb-12