Our Musical Director is Gillian Hope.
Gillian has long been a resident of Shirley, and is delighted to have taken over the musical directorship of Shirley Singers since they resumed their rehearsals in September.
She has many links with some of the existing choir members and friends, not only through a shared love of music and singing in particular, but also by her ties with Coloma Convent Girls' School where she taught music for many years.
Her love of music began as a child which resulted in winning a scholarship to the Royal College of Music, from where she went on to study music at Bristol University and piano with Phyllis Sellick.
As well as presenting many concerts over the years with the various Coloma choirs, (including at the Fairfield Halls, Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Barbican and Birmingham Symphony Hall), Gillian has maintained her own performing career by participating in choral events and cathedral residencies all over the country and in tours to Italy, Spain, Austria and Belgium.
Having recently retired from full-time teaching, Gillian is enjoying accompanying instrumentalists and singers in concerts and exams, as well as directing other choral groups, and is very much looking forward to working further with the Shirley Singers.
Gillian has long been a resident of Shirley, and is delighted to have taken over the musical directorship of Shirley Singers since they resumed their rehearsals in September.
She has many links with some of the existing choir members and friends, not only through a shared love of music and singing in particular, but also by her ties with Coloma Convent Girls' School where she taught music for many years.
Her love of music began as a child which resulted in winning a scholarship to the Royal College of Music, from where she went on to study music at Bristol University and piano with Phyllis Sellick.
As well as presenting many concerts over the years with the various Coloma choirs, (including at the Fairfield Halls, Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Barbican and Birmingham Symphony Hall), Gillian has maintained her own performing career by participating in choral events and cathedral residencies all over the country and in tours to Italy, Spain, Austria and Belgium.
Having recently retired from full-time teaching, Gillian is enjoying accompanying instrumentalists and singers in concerts and exams, as well as directing other choral groups, and is very much looking forward to working further with the Shirley Singers.