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About Us
The choir was originally formed in 1977 for Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee.
Since then we have built an enviable reputation for successfully performing a number of challenging Sacred Music, Classical, Modern and Musical Theatre concerts.
Nick Perry, Musical Director
Musical Director Nick Perry graduated from Birmingham School of Music in 1989. After training as a teacher, he moved to Buckingham where he began playing trumpet in local ensembles and for shows with Milton Keynes Operatic and Milton Keynes G&S Societies. During this time he also became Musical Director for Buckingham’s Old Gaolers.
Moving to Essex in 1997, he became Musical Director of Southminster Operatic and Choral Society for productions such as The Merry Widow, Carousel, a number of Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas and a range of choral concerts. A final move
Since moving to Brackley, Nick has performed as a singer with a number of local groups including BrackPac (playing Fagin in Oliver! and George Macmillan in Big). After a number of years singing bass with Brackley Jubilee Choir Nick was appointed our Musical Director in 2020.
Rob Thomas, Accompanist
Rob studied music at Kingston University and has since built up a varied career of accompanying choirs, dance schools and other musical groups.
He is very pleased to be welcomed as the accompanist for Brackley Jubilee choir from 2023. Rob also plays for several choirs in Oxfordshire, including Steventon Choral Society and Abingdon Music Centre Ladies' Choir, and has been the répétiteur for Oxfordshire Youth Music Theatre for many of their recent productions.
Most of Rob's time at the piano is spent accompanying for dance; initially he played for many years for RAD exams for schools in Oxfordshire, and more recently has become a member of the pianist team at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, playing for a mix of ballet, contemporary and tap classes.
Eddie Palmer and the start of the Jubilee Choir
“With the strains of Zadok the Priest ringing in their ears, the members of St. Peter’s Church Choir and some singers who had been invited to augment the choir began collecting music and handing it back to their conductor Edward Palmer. “How about Messiah at Christmas?” he called. Thus was the Brackley Jubilee Choir born in 1977.
Reaching back a little further into that year, there had been a meeting of the great and the good in Brackley Town Hall to discuss ways in which the Town would celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee.
The Reverend Andrew Freer remembers suggesting a service of Thanksgiving at the parish church of St Peter and St James. Could the choir sing some suitable royal music too? Without mentioning any names, Andrew Freer agreed that it would be possible only with the help and co-operation of others.
As soon as he contacted Eddie Palmer, choirmaster, and Sid Hearn, church organist, they both agreed to take part.”
Taken from ‘Brackley Jubilee Choir 1977-2007’ compiled by Eileen Bharali.