About Us
Prof. Bill Tamblyn is founder and music director of Quire, a community choir based in Colchester, Essex that offers the opportunity to have fun singing a varied and exciting programme of music from around the world.
Quire learn ‘folk’ choral music from many traditions including American Gospel, Fasola, and Shaker song, Central and Southern African Gospel and Work song, Hispanic song, British, Celtic and West Gallery song. Also included in our repertoire are Russian, German, Maori, Irish and Dutch songs, many sung in the original language. Our list is ever expanding and members are invited to bring new songs to the group which can be considered for eventual inclusion in the repertoire.
Quire performs several concerts a year in a variety of venues both indoors and outside. We sing as a large choir, about 60 members, and for some there is the opportunity to perform in a small group or sing duets or solos.
Quire performances are lively, audience-friendly, exuberant and straight from the heart. We dance, we clap, we click our fingers and stamp our feet as well as singing in four-part harmony – YES – all at the same time! We enter into the spirit of songs we sing.
We perform concerts throughout the year in a variety of venues, including theatres, churches, village halls, weddings. Quire is invited to perform at a range of events – from switching on Colchester Christmas lights to singing Carols for BBC TV at Colchester Castle.
