Young people

Kathryn Skipp has been a member of Philomusica since 1983. Since then she's progressed from being our most junior member to being one of our leading sopranos. There's more about Kathryn on our Soloists' page.

I joined Philomusica in September 1983 at the age of 13. I had always been interested in singing, joining the local church choir when I was able to find the hymn numbers quickly enough and the choir of every school that I had attended up until that point.

My parents were involved with Philomusica, and at the time there was great excitement in the air because they were due to give a concert in Tetbury Parish Church to Prince Charles and Lady Diana. That was all the encouragement I needed, if I had a chance of singing in that concert then I wanted to be a part of it! I persuaded my closest school friend to come along with me and we very quickly became addicted to the Philo way of life.

Rehearsals were challenging for thirteen year olds; music in four or eight parts, some in foreign languages, varying styles of music - but we enjoyed every minute! The learning seemed to take place at a rapid rate and we were thrilled to be surrounded by so many capable voices creating rich harmonies. Concerts provided not only a shot of adrenaline, but also the chance to hear first class soloists from the ranks of the choir. How we longed to be those soloists!!

Occasionally, works required a semi-chorus of voices to sing over the main choir. I was given opportunities to sing in these smaller groups alongside more experienced singers who were unfailingly supportive. With this, and the learning of so many different works, my sight-reading abilities and my confidence began to grow. I was asked to perform small solo parts at smaller venues to give me the experience of singing not only in front of an audience, but with the entire choir behind me. This was simultaneously daunting and exhilarating.

Of course, being given these chances only made me want to do bigger roles at bigger venues. I would arrive at rehearsals hoping that the soprano soloist couldn't make it that night so that I could sing her part in.

My first role in a major venue was that of Eve in Haydn's Creation in Pershore Abbey. It was such a thrill to stand in that beautiful place, with full choir and orchestra behind me, performing such vibrant music. Any other choral society would have hired soloists from a music college and I would never have had that experience. From that beginning I was asked to sing other roles and I have since  performed in many venues across Gloucestershire and Worcestershire including Pershore Abbey, Tewkesbury Abbey and Gloucester Cathedral, singing the soprano solos that I so envied other people singing years ago e.g, Verdi, Mozart and Faure Requiems; Rossini Stabat Mater,; Handel's Messiah; Haydn's Creation; Sea Symphony by Vaughan Williams; The Apostles and The Kingdom by Elgar to name but a few.

It is only through the Philomusica policy of using soloists from within the choir that I was given the opportunity to do any of this. Although I have had singing lessons for many years and play other musical instruments, I have not been to music college and I am not a professional singer. From those early beginnings being grounded in the skills of choral singing, surrounded by superb role models, expertly led by the conductors and nurtured and supported by fellow singers, I have been able to gain experience and confidence. I know of no other choral society that could do the same. I have been an avid member of Philo for 27 years now and I fully intend to carry on for at least another 27! 

Jenny Chadburn joined the choir in 2004, as a soprano. You can find out more about her on our Soloists' page.

I joined Philomusica when I was just thirteen. My Dad had performed in a few concerts with the choir and because he knew I'd loved being in choirs at school he thought it would be something I would enjoy - he was right.

The first piece I did was Bach's Magnificat, which really threw me in at the deep end. The singing was a massive challenge, but also so exciting, as it was more complex than the music I'd been used to.

The challenge of Philo helped me improve my singing and sight-reading massively and it also made me so much more passionate about singing. Taking part in big choral pieces and getting the opportunity to sing with orchestral accompaniment were experiences I wouldn't have had at school and really brought singing alive for me.

Linda, our conductor, also gave me the chance to sing some solos and having someone believe in me despite my inexperience and giving me the opportunity to try really helped me develop my both my singing and my confidence.

Singing the exciting range of pieces under Linda's excellent conducting and teaching, in company with the friendly, enthusiastic people who make up Philo makes taking part one of the genuine highlights of my week.

Tom Towers joined our bass section in 2008 and spent just over a year with us before heading off to Cambridge University. He's still a welcome guest when his studies permit and we have our fingers crossed that after university he might return to live and work in Gloucestershire because good young basses are hard to come by!

While at school I took a major interest in the Choir. After leaving school I missed the enjoyment I found in taking part in choral performances and so, in the summer of 2008, I joined Philomusica. I was looking for a way to carry on the singing I took part in while at school and to break up the monotony of work during my gap year! Philo certainly fulfilled both of these aims; I found myself welcomed into the group instantly and it wasn't long until I felt at home in the choir.

We rehearse and perform many different musical styles, something which I find increases the enjoyment of singing. This repertoire is so wide that there is almost certainly something here for everyone. The performances in the relatively short time I have been a member have ranged from Mozart's Requiem Mass to ‘There is Nothing Like a Dame' from South Pacific.

All of my experiences with Philo have been extremely positive and I always look forward to the times that I am back home from university and am able to find the time to join in.

Faith Hillier joined our alto section in 2003. Unfortunately, she's not singing with the choir at the moment because her job has taken her to Scotland but we're hoping she'll return to live locally and will re-join us before too long.

Singing as part of a choir is a hugely enjoyable experience. It is fantastic to be part of something much bigger, where everyone works together to create a beautiful sound. I sang in a girl's choir at school and in the University choir of two hundred, at Cardiff where I studied music. Whilst working in Wells, Somerset I joined a small chamber choir.

When I returned to Gloucester (at the age of 23) I was keen to continue singing in a choir and so joined Philomusica of which my mum was already a member. I found it immediately welcoming and met many friendly and interesting people. The social aspects of Philomusica are great but the standards of musicianship are also very high. Linda is an inspiring conductor who works hard to achieve the best out of all the choir members, giving them frequent opportunities to sing in smaller groups and to perform solos. She gave me much appreciated opportunities to play my flute and young people are supported in the choir in ways such as this.

The choir performs around twelve concerts a year in lovely venues around Gloucestershire and Worcestershire and goes on tour abroad every few years. I really enjoyed a trip to Rouen in 2009 where we performed in beautiful churches and explored the area.

I would encourage any young person to join Philomusica, whether they can read music or not, whether they have previous experience or not. All you need is to enjoy singing. You will discover wonderful new music and be supported along the way by a group of talented and enthusiastic choir members who are passionate about music making.