Luton’s Vauxhall Male Voice Choir Honors Music Director Who Achieves “Astonishing” Results

The Vauxhall Male Voice Choir pays tribute to its Music Director who is stepping down after 15 years.

Phillida Driver, 75, of Dunstable, has been a proud member of the group since 1998, when she joined the choir as an accompanist, before becoming musical director in 2006.

Her final event will take place at the choir’s Grand Christmas Charity Concert on December 18, after which she will step down and take on the role of assistant musical director.

A spokesperson for the Vauxhall Male Voice Choir said: “It was in 1998 that the Vauxhall Male Voice Choir needed additional support for their Music Director, Robert (Bob) Gillman. three weeks – and that’s how the story begins!

Phillida was conductor of music at Dunstable’s Manshead School and accompanist of the Dunstable Amateur Operatic Society, a very accomplished musician.

“She quickly settled into the choir fellowship and, along with another newly recruited pianist, Miss Josie Bass, provided all the accompaniment to choir rehearsals and official concerts.”

Phillida’s full abilities had been noted by the Music Director and it was in 2001 that Phillida was invited to the position of Assistant Music Director of the Vauxhall Choir.

She quickly mastered the control of the four “voices” of the choir and “was very precise” in introducing and deleting the different sections of the choir.

The spokesperson continued: “She has also performed in rehearsals and in conducting concerts, and was never confused by the magnitude of the event.

“During these years the concerts in the Vauxhall Choir have grown in number and rapidly and have tested the resources of the musical team. choir elements not the same old numbers as last time! “

Phillida, who was the first woman responsible for music at a Bedfordshire school, was also instrumental in the birth of the choir’s first Christmas concert.

For years, management had resisted the urge to organize one, arguing that it took too much learning for Christmas-related four-part music.

However, Phillida was determined to resolve this dilemma and enlisted the help of her husband, Terry, a talented violinist and at the time conductor of the Luton Concert Orchestra.

The spokesperson explained: “Phillida’s plan was to offer a common Christmas concert with choir and orchestra; each could come up with seasonal items and these could be combined with audience participation in traditional Christmas carols.

“It turned out to be such a success that the concert grew, is still going strong after 15 years and several thousand pounds have been raised for local charities.

“Terry has fitted into the folds of the choir with his violin solos and his unique abilities as a buddy and emcee.”

In 2004, Bob fell seriously ill and Phillida rallied the music team to cover these absences.

James Banville, a special guest artist for the choir on several occasions, joined the team full time as a piano / organ accompanist and the choir hosted a large charity concert at St Albans Cathedral involving a choir of 200 voices – “a huge undertaking for any choir and music director.”

Although Bob was available for the planning stages, his illness prevented him from attending the event and it was Phillida’s role to lead the choirs.

An outdoor concert of particular significance also took place in the promenade bandstand in Eastbourne.

The spokesperson said: “The appearance of large clothespins in Phillida’s clothes intrigued the choir members. Phillida’s share. “

It was in 2006 that Bob Gillman finally relinquished the baton and Phillida was announced as the new musical director, while Bob took over as his assistant.

The spokesperson recalled: “Phillida’s promotion to music director came at a time when female doctors in male voice choirs were in the very minority in the UK. Her service in this role has helped demonstrate that female physicians have a wealth of knowledge and ideas with which to enhance the capacity of male voices. “

Phillida was instrumental in the production of practice CDs for the choir, though she was also known to spot any wrong notes “in one case”.

The spokesperson smiled, “Give Phillida what she deserves; however, she never identifies a “culprit” to the rest of the choristers! “

Meanwhile, choir members agree that “careful and systematic planning” has been key to Phillida’s success.

Indeed, she would inspect concert venues well in advance, with each visit requiring “meticulous planning, a pre-visit, and an appropriate song schedule.”

In recent years the choir has offered recitals at some of the UK’s major cathedrals including Ely, Peterborough, Leicester, Truro and Southwark, while its members continue to enjoy their annual weekend together, usually near the Wed.

The spokesperson added: “Phillida and Terry have always enthusiastically joined in the spirit of these events and generally do very well in all crazy golf competitions.”

Throughout Phillida’s tenure, she chose to have help as assistant general managers, and when Bob sadly passed away in early 2007, Phillida chose backing vocalists David Stott and then David Goodge to take the job. job. Helen Wingate then took over in 2017.

However, Phillida hasn’t enjoyed the best health in the past two years and believes now is the time to step down.

Effective January 1, Helen Wingate will assume the role of Music Director, while Phillida will become Deputy Music Director.

The spokesperson concluded: “Throughout her tenure as Music Director of the Vauxhall Male Voice Choir, Phillida has been very professional in all her dealings and indeed has always instilled an aura of calm and control around. of her, even when faced with the unexpected.

“She put a lot of thought and energy into the choir and the results were amazing.”

In November, Phillida accepted the choir’s offer to become a life member of the Vauxhall Male Voice Choir, the highest honor the choir can bestow.

This honor is currently held by only three others in recognition of outstanding service to the choir.

> Phillida’s last event as Music Director will take place on December 18, when the Vauxhall Male Voice Choir, Cantata Ladies Choir and Festival Ensemble perform their Christmas Big Charity Concert for the Kids in Action charity.

The concert will take place at St Mary’s RC Church, West Street, Dunstable. Doors open at 7.15 p.m. for a departure at 7.45 p.m.

Vauxhall Male Voice Choir will always welcome new members. The group rehearses on a Wednesday evening from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the High Town Methodist Church.