The
Canterbury Singers
© 2016 Canterbury Singers. Charity Number 275083
Rehearsals begin September 10th @ The Old Synagogue, King Street, Canterbury
Next Concert
November 9th
About
In the early 1950s a group of like-minded singers gathered around the grand piano of a friend`s house in Canterbury and decided to form a choir. The Canterbury Singers was born ! Since then the choir has established a strong standing as one of the leading chamber choirs in the area, performing a mix of sacred and secular programmes, both accompanied and "a capella". They have always maintained a close connection with Canterbury Cathedral and it has become a tradition that their Musical Director is the person holding the post of Assistant Organist at the Cathedral. Currently the choir`s Musical Director is Jamie Rogers
Elizabeth Jenkins is the Assistant Musical Director (see here).
There are presently about thirty to forty singers, a mix of backgrounds and ages, but with a common love of, and desire for, good music sung well. Hence the requirements for membership (see here) are of a high standard.
Around three or four concerts are given each year usually on a Saturday, but not necessarily always.
We hold our “Summer Serenade” concert usually in early July. This is directed by Elizabeth Jenkins and is traditionally held in one of the many beautiful local country churches to help their fund-raising efforts. A wonderful setting on a summer`s evening. This is where we let our hair down somewhat, mixing up the madrigals with the musicals, the Gibbons with the Gershwins !
The Singers also support charitable causes, a regular being the Christmas Carol concert supporting Parkinsons UK. Our Lenten Concert in 2018 supported the CanterburyUmbrella Centre.
So if you love to listen to the sound of human voices blending together making the music on the page come to life, then come and listen to us. We would love to see you.
Details of our next performances can be found here
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The Canterbury Singers is a Registered Charity No 275083
Jaimie Rogers
Growing up in the seaside town of Deal, Kent, Jamie first began to establish a musical profile from an early age. He studied Piano with David Rees-Williams and John Irving, and Organ with Paul Stubbings, graduating with a BMus (Hons) in 2013. In September 2017 he pursued further study in Organ performance at the Royal Academy of Music, London under the tutelage of Professor David Titterington and Bine Bryndorf, where he graduated in 2019 with a Master of Arts (DipRam). During his time there he was awarded the Eric Thiman Organ Prize, William John Kipps Scholarship, the C.H Trevor prize, the Norman Askew Prize, and has also been generously supported by the Countess of Munster; having been granted the Derek Butler Award.
In 2022 Jamie was appointed as Assistant Director of Music at Canterbury Cathedral following on from a varied career, working as the Assistant Director of Music at St Marylebone Parish Church, as well as Head of Jazz Studies at Queen Mary’s University, London. He teaches at the King’s School, Canterbury and also teaches organ privately. Recent performances include, St Omer Cathedral, the Basilica of St Andrea della Valle, St Peter’s Basilica, the Deal Festival of Music and Arts, Sounds New Festival, the Canterbury Festival, Neresheim Abbey, and the St Marylebone Festival, as well as Broadcasts for BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.
Elizabeth Jenkins - Assistant Director
Elizabeth was born and brought up in Kent. She studied singing at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. After graduating she remained in London to combine a teaching career with that of singing.
Returning to Kent, she taught in various schools in Faversham and Canterbury. She assisted in the formation and direction of the Kent Youth Choir and for many years was manager of all the Kent Youth Choral Groups. She continued to work as a freelance music consultant and singing teacher and became Deputy Director of Medway Music Association which involved the organisation of Music Festivals for Medway primary schools.
She has recently retired but music, and in particular singing, still plays an important part in her life. As well as being Assistant Director of Canterbury Singers she is also a long-standing member of the Kent Chamber Choir.
Join
The Canterbury Singers welcomes new members to fill vacancies when they arise. Applicants, who should be experienced singers and competent sight readers, will be invited to attend two rehearsals. A short audition will then be arranged to assess voice range and sight reading ability. Auditions will take place ahead of a rehearsal, but applicants will not be expected to remain after their audition, and will be informed of the Musical Director’s decision by email. For further information please use the Contact form below.
Rehearsals take place every Tuesday during term time, from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm at The Old Synagogue in King Street.
Future Performances
Our next concert will be on
Saturday November 9th 2024
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