Keele, Staffordshire
History
The choir was founded in 1975 by Professor John Sloboda. Originally known as Keele Chamber Choir, it was a small but competent group of people, mainly from Keele University, who met to sing music suitable for small choirs, unaccompanied or with piano. It was intended to complement, rather than to rival, the larger University Choir, whose repertoire was all the major choral works.
Professor John Sloboda
Professor Sloboda continued as Musical Director and Conductor of the choir until 1995. During this time the choir became larger and the repertoire more ambitious, and the name was changed to Keele Bach Choir. From 1995 to 1999 the Musical Director was Marion Wood, and from 1999 to 2002 Christopher Hand. From 2002 we had the fortune of having Matthew Willis as our Musical and Artistic Director, and under his leadership the Bach Choir has become one of the best small choirs in this area. Matthew left us in 2011 and we are now joined by Matthew Hamilton as our new Musical and Artistic director.