Musical team
Musical Director
James Jones M. Mus.
James Jones was born in New Zealand, raised in Montgomeryshire and completed his post graduate studies at Birmingham Conservatoire. James was a founder member of the National Chamber Choir and a stalwart of the National Youth Choirs of Wales and Great Britain. He is principal tutor and joint Musical Director of the National Children’s Choir of Great Britain and Director of the National Training Choir of Great Britain. He is also the Chorus Manager for the Mid-Wales Opera and has recently made his debut with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Accompanist
Jill Godsall LRAM
Jill Godsall is a locally born accompanist who trained at the Birmingham School of Music and subsequently in Italy. She has appeared on both BBC Radio and Television on numerous occasions and presently teaches piano at Solihull School. Jill has been accompanying guest artistes with the BBC and Canoldir Choir for more than 25 years.
Founding Musical Director
Clive Griffiths MBE LTCL
D. Clive Griffiths is the Founding Musical Director of the choir. He was born in Aberfan and studied at the College of Music and Drama, Cardiff, prior to taking up a teaching post in Birmingham. Under his direction the Choir achieved numerous successes, and will undoubtedly continue to maintain this high standard as a result of his musical expertise.
Accompanist
Jeanette Wong B Mus(Hons) MA LTCL
Jeanette Chuin Cheih Wong from Malaysia entered Birmingham Conservatoire in 1998 to study under Prof Malcolm Wilson and Bryce Morrison. In 2000 she graduated with a first class Bachelor of Music (honours). In 2001 she gained a Master of Arts in Music with distinction and was awarded the Birmingham Conservatoire Postgraduate Prize for overall excellence during the course. She is currently a freelance musician, actively performing as a soloist,a chamber musician and as an accompanist at Birmingham Conservatoire and at the Royal Ballet School.