Conductor

Jamie Cordell was appointed conductor of BGNCS in 1997. Under his directorship our choir has flourished and has grown in size from thirty singers to now approaching sixty in number. The choir has had great success at the Leith Hill Musical Festival and we have enjoyed memorable visits to our friends in Germany as well as America.

Jamie began his musical training as a junior exhibitioner at Trinity College of Music, London. While there he sang in many of London's concert venues, including St. John's Smith Square and the Queen Elizabeth Hall. He subsequently studied both as an undergraduate and postgraduate at the University of Surrey, specialising in performance and conducting.

Away from BGNCS Jamie works extensively in theatre, particularly with young people. He is a well respected musical director and has conducted shows including Oliver! 42nd Street, Les Miserables, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof and West Side Story. He is in particular demand as a vocal coach and has students in leading roles in West End musicals.

He was appointed as an adjudicator by the British Federation of Festivals and an examiner with the London College of Music during 2010.

Jamie's wife Luisa-Maria is also very much involved in the music world and is the founder of the National Youth Harp Orchestra .

Accompanist

Anthea Smallwood studied at the Royal College of Music in London and then took the teachers' Certificate of Education at the University of Exeter.

She worked as a music teacher in Secondary and Primary schools and as a peripatetic instumental teacher until retirement in July 2012.

As well as accompanying BGN and Capel choral socities she is the organist and choirmistress for St. John the Baptist Church in Capel, Surrey.