Oliver Gooch
Music Director
Oliver’s international conducting career has seen collaborations in recent seasons with the LSO, Philharmonia, BBC Symphony, Hallé, London Philharmonic, Queensland Symphony, Tasmanian Symphony, New York Sinfonietta, Orchestra I Pomeriggi Milano and a debut recording with the RTÉ NSO. He balances orchestral engagements with extensive work in opera, formerly as assistant to Sir Charles Mackerras at Glyndebourne. As Associate Conductor (JPYAP) at the Royal Opera House he recently conducted their debut tour of Australia, winning a Helpmann Award. Oliver received his training at Cambridge University, GSMD, and National Opera Studio. He studied conducting at Tanglewood with Seiji Ozawa and has been nominated for a South Bank Award and a Creative Scotland award.
Robert Jones
Associate Music Director
Robert was educated at Trinity School, Croydon. In 1975 he became a Music Scholar at Christ Church, Oxford, where he sang in the Cathedral choir. Following graduation, he held posts as Lay Clerk at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor and Westminster Cathedral before embarking on a career as one of Britain’s leading consort singers, featuring on award-winning recordings with the Tallis Scholars, the Orlando Consort and the Gabrieli Consort. He maintains a lifelong interest in piano and organ playing and choral directing, and has been Director of Music at the Wren church of St. Bride’s, Fleet Street in the City of London since 1988. He has been associated with many leading British choral societies and has also recently taken over as conductor of Renaissance Voices, a chamber choir based in Maidenhead.
Kate Cromar
Chair
Kate’s choral life started at St Peter’s Church, Maidenhead as a young chorister. When the family moved, she discovered that the school choir was a great place to meet new people and help settle into a new school while making life long friends. Kate became a member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain enjoying several seasons with some incredibly talented young singers. Work and family meant a break from regular singing opportunities until joining Wokingham Choral society under the batons of Ed Gardner and Aidan Oliver. Singing highlights include Lauridsen’s ‘O Magnum Mysterium’ at evensong at St Paul’s cathedral, despite having got lost in the corridors and almost missing the rehearsal! And in 2022 singing with Cantorum and local massed choirs in St George’s Chapel Windsor for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Desert Island Discs would include, Handel Dixit Dominus, Bach B minor Mass and Vivaldi Gloria.
Joy Strzelecki
Recruitment
Joy is responsible for new members. To make an enquiry, please contact her on 07711 533054. Alternatively, you can email: info@cantorumchoir.org.uk