Sussex Phil Chamber Choir has about 30 members. We perform a wide range of music, from the baroque to contemporary. We are proud to be an ‘open entry’ choir (that is we don’t require an audition), but still perform to a high standard. We usually perform 3 concerts a year. We rehearse every Monday (term time) at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Dyke Road in Hove.
Origins
The choir started some 20 years ago as the Sussex Philharmonic Chorus but we have gradually transformed into a chamber choir over the years. This means we are able to tackle both intimate pieces such as Britten’s ‘Hymn to St Cecilia’ and bigger pieces such as the Mozart Requiem. Led by our conductor James Lloyd Thomas (ever patient with a repertoire of terrible jokes) the choir is committed to performing a rich mix of music including baroque, classical, romantic, 20th century and contemporary. We perform well known and less well known pieces and we are proud to have performed a number of premiers of new music, some written by our multi-talented accompanist Time Nail.
Director/Conductor
James Lloyd Thomas who hails from the West Midlands has a lot of experience as a conductor and an organist. Whilst studying at Trinity College as a graduate and post graduate he took a particular interest in accompaniment and conducting.
James has built up a wealth of experience as an organist, teacher and choral and orchestral director and holds fellowships from Trinity College London and the Royal College of Organists, as well as a Licentiate in Teaching from the Royal Academy of Music.
As an organist he has extensive recital experience in the UK and overseas.
Currently, James is Director of Music at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield and organist to the University of Sussex as well as maintaining a busy schedule of recitals and accompaniment. As well as the director to the Sussex Phil Chamber Choir, he also conducts the Sussex University Chamber Choir and the Ravenscroft Singers.
Assistant Director & Accompanist
Tim Nail studied Music at Glasgow University before taking the post-graduate Music Therapy Course at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
He has lived in Brighton since 1987 and works as a Music Therapist, repetiteur, accompanist and piano teacher. He also enjoys composing.
His Mass was recently premiered in Brighton by the Sussex Phi Chamber Choir
