About the Gillingham Singers

The Gillingham Singers are an SATB choir of about 30 to 40 members. Formerly known as the Silton Singers, the choir has for over 60 years performed concerts in the Gillingham area. This non-auditioning choir had until recently, used the Gillingham Methodist Church with its famous Sweetland organ as both a rehearsal space and concert venue, often including local soloists. More recently the choir performed at St Mary's Church Motcombe, where they shared works by Tallis, Tavener, McDowall and Rutter.

The Gillingham Singers are currently planning their Winter concert, which will include some well-know Christmas carols alongside more recently composed works, to take place at St Simon and St Jude's Church in Milton on Stour on Saturday 14th December.

Rehearsing during 'term time' on Monday evenings, the Choir welcomes singers of all ages and abilities to Wyke Primary School (starting at 7:15pm) with the aim of fostering a love of choral music in a friendly and welcoming environment.

Musical Director

Richard Nye

Richard began his musical life as a chorister at Gloucester Cathedral. Whilst at school, Richard was guided in composing for voices, by the Cheltenham-based composer Tony Hewitt-Jones and he later went on to read music in London. Whilst in London, Richard studied choral conducting with Richard Stangroom and went on to direct the college choir. Following his studies Richard began a career in teaching that took him from London to Dorset via West Sussex and the Isles of Scilly (where he helped create a music service that is still running to this day).

Since 2018, Richard's choral music has been featured at the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music and is published by Banks and Chichester Music Press. A collection of secular choral works will also be available from Tim Knight Music in early 2024.

His instrumental work has been performed at London's South Bank Centre and at concert halls as far away as New York and Taipei. More recently, his choral work I Saw a New Heaven was broadcast on Ukrainian radio and his electronic work EXPRSN, was broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Richard left teaching in 2021, conducting the choir of his school in their carol service at Wimborne Minster on his final day. He is delighted to now be conducting the Gillingham Singers.

Accompanist

David Grierson

David is a graduate of both Exeter and London University. He was, for many years, Head of Music and Drama at Shaftesbury School as well as being a part-time OFSTED inspector. Following a lengthy tour of duty in China, where he taught in both international and Chinese schools, he returned to North Dorset in 2009.

David is well known as an accompanist, conductor, musical director, writer and occasional speaker; his exploits whilst overseas were serialised in the Blackmore Vale Magazine, winning him an enthusiastic following! David founded and leads the Shaftesbury Community Choir and is a member of the Phoenix Café Orchestra and of the sax ensemble Saxophony.