our choir leaders
tom chapman
claygate and cheam choir leader
Tom grew up singing in church choirs and in the world-renowned choir at Trinity School in Croydon. He confesses that his early love of rock has been largely overtaken by his passion for classical music. He has a BA in music and an MA in composition from The University of York. As a professional tenor, Tom sings as a deputy in the choirs of Westminster Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral.
Tom started working with the Vocality choirs in Claygate and Cheam in April 2016. He also directs The Downland Chorale in Old Coulsdon and Euphonix in Kingston.
what tom says about vocality:
“I love the camaraderie between the members and me. The singers just love being there and bring such a sense of fun to the rehearsal, and this makes my job a total joy.
The most important thing for me is that choir members come away from rehearsals having had a great time. I'm full of energy in rehearsals and always try to keep things moving forward. I like to draw upon my own singing training too, to really help get the best out of the choir and its individual singers.
I especially enjoy the progression that occurs throughout any given term and how we're able to craft a superb finished product in time for the performances, when we get to share what we've done with friends and family. I love seeing the members’ elation and sense of achievement.
Vocality is much more slick than other choirs. It is managed by someone who is a choir member and really takes on feedback from members. Her years of experience in running these choirs has led to a perfectly oiled machine. It's great for the members and the leaders. The professional-quality learning tracks are such a great tool for learning the songs, so the standard Vocality can achieve is a level above other amateur groups.
Vocality Claygate is a unit. It's one of the friendliest and most dedicated groups I've ever worked with and it's so much fun to be a part of.
Vocality Cheam are a choir that relish a challenge and always manage to pull a great performance out of the bag. They're so dedicated and hard-working, and rehearsals are always a pleasure for us all.”
Photo by Lizzy Shaanan
Kevin Fox
Teddington and Surbiton Choir Leader
Originally from Canada and now based in London, Kevin Fox has spent 25 years
immersed in the wonderful world of a cappella singing. Some know him as a former member of the Grammy-winning group The Swingles, and others as a choir
director, workshop leader, and arranger. He’s taught at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and at various international music festivals. When he’s not working with ensembles, Kevin sings with London Voices on film soundtracks, most recently Marvel’s Eternals and Puss in Boots 2. Kevin’s passion is to help singers and groups to unlock their creative music-making potential.
What Kevin says about Vocality:
I’m always amazed by how great Vocality choirs sound, demonstrating excellent ensemble skills and tackling challenging repertoire all by ear. But I think this is largely thanks to the encouraging, safe, and fun environment that is created and maintained every week. When everyone feels enabled, important, and inspired, amazing things can happen, far beyond what we imagined was possible.
My approach to choir singing boils down to a few key ideas:
1. It’s supposed to be fun – and working in detail adds to the fun!
2. It’s all about listening, breathing, and connecting; and
3. It brings out the music we already have inside of us.
sally duncan
twickenham choir leader
Sally grew up in a very musical household. She spent a lot of time around orchestras, with some prominent musicians to encourage her with her music. She also enjoyed being a part of church choirs and singing in harmony around the family piano. A huge jazz and rockabilly fan, her passion for music and her talent for the piano led to her study for a BA in Music Performance at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.
Sally has had a varied career. She has worked in music management and for a national newspaper. She has travelled to New Zealand as an accompanist and has played in theatre pit bands. In addition Sally directed a "Pram Chorus" choir for parents of infants and has run toddler music classes for many years. After directing a community choir in Streatham for 5 years, Sally began working with Vocality in 2010.
what sally says about vocality:
“I love the wide variety of repertoire we cover in Vocality and the challenge of the new songs each term. I never thought I’d be able to conduct a Serbo-Croatian song in 7/8 time, but I can!
My teaching style is enthusiastic, unconventional, hard-working, energetic but fun. Singing together is proven to help with mental health and I can say it’s helped me through some very challenging times. To me, music is about collaboration and having fun together. I want to enable rather than criticise, but also work to create something amazing.
Vocality Twickenham is the most gorgeous group of people. Even when I’m feeling exhausted, I always leave choir with a spring in my step. We all come together to let our hair down, focus, have fun and create something bigger than the sum of its parts.”