I'm a freelance musician and writer based in Oxford. My work includes novels and short stories (some of which have been broadcast on BBC radio); compositions for choirs, dance companies and musical theatre groups; plays and several musicals. I founded and run a theatre company, Three Chairs and a Hat, to stage my work and new writing, and to collaborate on workshops and projects. One of my musicals, 'Verity', earned a four-star review at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe—links to videos and cast recordings are attached below. My latest stage production, 'Melody', has played in several spaces in Oxfordshire and the south, and was booked to play in London and the Edinburgh Fringe: both productions were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but six Three Chairs and a Hat videos were included in the online Edinburgh Fringe: links are attached below. Apart from writing and composing, my work includes leading and co-leading workshops for organisations such as English National Ballet (where I'm an Associate Artist); Creation Theatre (writing songs and musically directing for their 'create a musical play' sessions); Live Nation Theatre (accompanying and teaching musical theatre workshops); the Royal Academy of Music (leading workshops on my musical theatre compositions); Flourish, an organisation bringing the arts to people with dementia; and the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot, where I lead 'create a show in a day' children's sessions. With dance artists Roosa Leimu-Brown and Louisa Dalton I run workshops as MuMo (music and movement), including a series of sessions for older participants commissioned by the Museum of Rural Life at the University of Reading; and weekly online Dance for Parkinson's sessions during the Covid-19 lockdown. I'm the resident MD and pianist for Opera Anywhere, a professional touring company bringing opera and operetta to new audiences; a regular pianist for Oxford Opera Company, which stages operas with professional soloists and community chorus; and I MD and accompany for music and theatre groups, choirs, dancers, singers and instrumentalists, schools and performing arts colleges and academies. My work ranges across all ages and abilities, from 6 to adult and from absolute beginners to professional musicians.

Situated at the heart of the Cotswolds, where three counties and four regions meet, The Theatre Chipping Norton is a mixed arts venue, hosting, co-producing and supporting some of the most exciting, accessible and entertaining culture in the region.

Today we take pride in our existence as a theatre, an art-house cinema, a gallery and a concert hall. We are a resource for our community and a registered charity but we are also a professional venue, welcoming over 50,000 visitors every year. We are something unique, but we are also different things to different people. We are the cause and subject of many arguments and debates, and a fair amount of acclaim and affection. We are complicated and a little eccentric. We are not a little theatre. We like to make a big noise.

Our extensive community and education programmes produced by the Take Part department at The Theatre engages with thousands of people each year through workshops, classes and creative projects, and we develop creative work through Associate Companies, curated festivals and commissioned projects.

"A programme of distinctive artistic adventure" – The Guardian

"So charming it almost hurts" – The Daily Mail

"More intelligent, more esoteric and more intellectually exciting than many a theatre several times its size" – Oxfordshire Life

This fabulous building began life as a Salvation Army Citadel, with the first stones, still visible on the front exterior of the building, being laid on 3 August 1888. In a strange quirk of fate, its designers and engineers had also worked on many Victorian Music Halls, leaving it perfectly proportioned for its future theatrical life.

The Salvation Army left the Citadel in 1962 and for some years the building was used as a furniture warehouse. In 1968 two Royal Shakespeare Company actors, Tamara and John Malcolm, discovered the building was up for sale and realised it’s potential. An anonymous benefactor provided them with a loan and they submitted an application for planning permission to convert it into a theatre. In September 1973, fundraising for the new theatre began in earnest, and the year was crowned with The Theatre’s first Christmas Show, Beauty and the Beast, staged in the town hall. The Theatre began as a true community resource, with residents of Chipping Norton each asked to contribute £1 towards the conversion.

In June 1974, a grant from the Gulbenkian Foundation enabled the purchase of an adjoining cottage in Spring Street which was converted into the Bar and Gallery areas. The Theatre was then opened in 1975 by Tom Baker, who was then Dr Who, and began with a light programme including films and lunchtime Jazz concerts. The Theatre continued to grow and flourish, expanding its programme and reputation and purchasing, in 1990, the building in Goddards Lane that now serves as the main daytime box office, green room, offices, dressing rooms and rehearsal space.

1996 saw a major refurbishment, funded in part by The Arts Council, improving many aspects of the building, particularly the stage and wing space. Graham Rust, one of Europe’s finest muralists, was commissioned to produce a set of murals in the bar. In May 2002, not long after receiving a well deserved MBE for her services to The Theatre, Tamara Malcolm passed on the mantle of Artistic Director to Caroline Sharman.

The Space was constructed in 2007 following a major leak through the flat roof of the Gallery. In order to resolve the problem a pitched roof was required so it was decided to raise funds to insert a new room above the existing Gallery. As well as successfully resolving the problem this much needed room is now used on a daily basis for the Youth Theatre and other Take Part sessions and workshops.

The Theatre has built a strong reputation over the years for producing its own creative work, and notable performances of Yerma, Don Giovanni, Taste and Huck live in the minds of our audiences. These stand alongside perhaps our greatest claim to fame, the world-renowned Chippy family pantomime, which draws on a long history of traditional values, top-notch creative teams, and original, daring twists to make it an irreplaceable part of countless family Christmases.

In 2008, John Terry took over from Caroline as Artistic Director, overseeing a period of further growth and professionalisation, and receiving on behalf of The Theatre, the 2009/10 TMA Stage Award for Achievement in Regional Theatre. The Theatre now stands as a rare example of a successful rural receiving and producing theatre, funded and supported almost entirely by local people, local councils and local businesses as well as the Friends Membership scheme and Citadel Club. The Theatre also receives some support from charitable trusts and foundations but is not currently in receipt of funding from Arts Council England.

We are a hub where local people, businesses and organisations can meet, work, play and be entertained. Come and join us and see why so many people have fallen for The Theatre Chipping Norton, and why it remains a local and regional treasure.

Take Part At The Theatre:
The Take Part department is a core component of The Theatre, Chipping Norton. It provides the opportunities for people of all ages to participate actively and creatively and there is an ever growing sense of its importance within The Theatre itself and amongst the wider community. Not only is it a recognised provider of excellent regular sessions such as our highly-regarded Youth Theatre and holiday workshops, it is constantly expanding into a valuable resource for both schools and local community groups.

Regular Sessions and Workshops include:

Cinema Bambino (for babies with their carers)
Cinema Bambino consists of special film sessions for parents/carers with young babies who are often isolated at home and find it hard to access mainstream evening performances. Membership £5. Tickets per film £3, 50p per child.

The Orange Hat (Tuesday & Friday mornings) for babies/ toddlers with their carers.
Orange Hat is run by professional actor Paula Stephens for young children aged 6 months - 4 years who attend with their carers. Weekly sessions revolve around a puppet, Peggotty the Hen, and focus on singing and storytelling. These have proved a wonderful confidence-developer for the children and a very happy introduction to the world of theatre.

Saturday Drama (for 5 - 7 year olds)
New for September 2012, Saturday Drama sessions take place at The Theatre on Saturdays for 5-7 year olds during term time. Led by local actor and workshop leader, Lucy Joseph, these sessions aim to build confidence and creativity through improvisation, mime, storytelling, character work and games. Tickets: £60 per ten week term

Youth Theatre (Monday - Friday) for 7 - 18 year olds
Our Youth Theatre was founded in 1989 and now numbers are approximately 200 young people between the ages of 7 and 18 drawn from Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Warwickshire. Its 10 groups meet weekly during term time with the emphasis on developing confidence and performance skills, largely through the devising process, although script work is also covered. Youth Theatre members have the opportunity to perform productions on our stage. Older members are encouraged to assist with younger groups to further develop their skills. Tickets: £60 per ten week term

Youth Musical Theatre (Thursday evenings) for 8+ years
Our Youth Musical Theatre meets weekly during term-time and has approximately 35 members between the ages of
8 – 14 years. These sessions help participants to develop performance techniques whilst also promoting confidence, commitment, communication and collaborative skills. They concentrate on singing and dancing and produce an annual showcase at The Theatre. Tickets: £70 per ten week term

Half Term and Summer Holiday Workshops
Catering for young people from 5 years during half terms and Easter holidays, recent workshops have included ‘A Play in Two Days’, street dance, Musical Theatre Experience and Orange Hat Holiday workshops.
Take Part runs for a month during the summer holidays, providing week-long theatre experience workshops for young people aged 8 - 20 and morning workshops for those aged 5 - 7. During Summer 2013 The Theatre welcomed over 327 young people through its doors who participated in a wide range of activities, from dance workshops for 5-7 year olds to a full production of Grease by a cast of 35 teenagers. 

Standby Ticket Offers for ages 14– 25 years
The Theatre offers a number of tickets for live and film events to young people at a bargain price of £2 a ticket. Individuals sign up as a member for free and receive information via email on events where the offers apply. The scheme is driven by a group of local young people who pick the shortlist of events from the season’s programme and encourage their friends and peers to attend. For more information and to pick up an application form to join the scheme, please contact the Box Office. This fantastic Standby offer is available to anyone between the ages of 14-25 years who sign up to the scheme and have a valid Student Identification Card or alternative proof of age identification.

Creative Writing (Monday mornings) for Adults
Using examples, discussion and practical exercises, the sessions aim to stimulate the creativity of participants who are encouraged to share their own work in a creative and supportive environment.
Tickets: £65 per ten week term

Adult Drama Group (Tuesday evenings) for 18+ years
The sessions focus on a wide range of skills including drama exercises, breath and voice work, exploring plays, improvisation and characterisation.  Previous experience is not necessary – it is for those who enjoy drama and theatre but also for those who wish to come along to improve their self confidence. Tickets: £60 per ten week term

Dance 50+ (Wednesday mornings)
This group aspires to keep participants fit and mobile and to rekindle the joy of moving to music. Led by a qualified EXTEND tutor, these sessions are open to participants aged 50+. Tickets: £60 per ten week term

The Singing Group (Thursday evenings for ages 16+ yrs)
Research shows that singing has many benefits, including reducing stress and inspiring self confidence. The Singing Group will offer you a chance to explore your singing voice, as well as meeting new people and enjoying yourself.
Led by Cat Kelly, Musical Director of Rising Voices and Director of Folk Weekend Oxford, this group will sing a wide repertoire, from pop classics to traditional folk songs and world music. There are no auditions; you don’t need to be able to read music – whether you are a complete novice or an experienced singer, there will be something for everyone. These sessions (including the taster) will be taking place at the Parish Rooms, Church St, Chipping Norton. Ages 12+ years welcome if accompanied by an adult.
Tickets: £24 (six sessions).

Sat 1st March, 10am – 4pm.
SNAP CHIPPY! A ONE DAY PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE (For ages 16 - Adult)
If you are keen to get creative with your digital camera this one day course will get you inspired and confident to produce stunning images. First you will recap the most important settings on your camera and then photograph the unique environment of The Theatre and its hidden corners. Using images shot in the morning, you will learn Photoshop elements that add a creative sparkle by altering colour balance, using fill, brush or pencil tools, filters and creating montages.
This workshop is aimed at those who own a Digital SLR camera and have a basic understanding of the manual modes, but would like to get more from their camera. Participants will need to bring a DSLR Camera and a Card reader or USB lead and a memory stick.
Tickets: £80

Music Into Care Homes & Music Therapy
In 2008 The Theatre received funding for a 2 year project called Music Into Care Homes which was used to enable professional musicians to visit six care homes within the vicinity of Chipping Norton. To continue our community work within care homes during January - May 2013, The Theatre will be coordinating Music Therapy sessions, funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, for twelve weeks in three Chipping Norton care homes. Music therapy aims to encourage self expression, provide stimulation and enables the residents to share an experience with others, therefore increasing motivation and enhancing quality of life.

Community Events at The Theatre
Over the years The Theatre has played host to a variety of events in support of raising both awareness for individuals, groups and organisations.
Take Part is currently involved in the Chipping Norton Light’s Up project for people living with Dementia.
As an organisation we feel it is important for The Theatre to support and reach out to our local community and we will continue to do so in the form of workshops, sessions, community plays and projects.

Why Take Part?
Take Part is proud to have a fantastic network of theatre professionals who lead our sessions and workshops. By taking part at The Theatre, children, young people, families, adults, communities and organisations experience opportunities to express themselves in a creative environment. In addition to developing creative and collaborative skills, participants build confidence and self expression, explore ideas and meet new people.

The Village Fete is back! As part of Folk Weekend Oxford, Gloucester Green will be transformed into a hub of craft demonstrations and stalls, traditional games, the chance to raise money for your favourite charities and Morris and music!
We're inviting crafters who can offer a demonstration as well as selling their wares to apply for a stall.
We also have free space for local charities to have stalls.
Please get in touch for more info.

Public performances since 2001 under Musical Director JanJoost van Elburg in Oxford, throughout the south of England, tours also to France, Holland.

Oxford Fringe is Oxford’s very own Fringe festival – a joyous celebration of live arts that anyone can take part it. Built on the model of Edinburgh and Brighton, Oxford Fringe mixes local performers and artists with touring professionals from around the UK.

2014 dates: 24 May - 8 June.

To submit a performance or join as a venue or committee member, please visit www.oxfordfringe.org or contact info@oxfordfringe.org

Jon Fletcher is a musician, singer, songwriter, music tutor and producer based in Oxford, England. A multi-instrumentalist specialising in acoustic instruments (guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, banjo, harmonica and keys), he combines influences from the traditional music of Britain and beyond with blues, jazz and a pop sensibility.

Jon currently plays with Kismet, Magpie Lane and Lisa Fitzgibbon’s Power Folk Quartet, as well as solo and fronting the Jon Fletcher Trio. His first solo album A Month In The Summer was released in 2007, while a 2nd and 3rd are in the pipeline.

Jon’s musical career began in earnest as a member of 90s roots-pop group Epona (together with siblings Kate and Colin and fiddler/singer Nancy Kerr). Since then he’s been involved in numerous ventures both on and off-stage. Well-known in the Oxford music scene, he’s performed in more lineups than he can remember, promoted gigs, worked for Park Records, taught and mentored a whole generation of young musicians through teaching work and 9 years at the helm of the Ark T Youth Music Project, while his skill and sympathetic approach in the studio has led to him producing numerous recordings for other artists.

Additional to his performing, Jon currently teaches guitar privately, in schools around Oxford and for Crisis UK, runs band workshops with Drumbeats and Oxfordshire County Music Service, and together with brother Colin runs Starling Audio, offering recording and production to independent artists from their North Oxfordshire studio.

He lives in East Oxford with his wife, their two children and an ever-expanding collection of musical instruments.

Friendly local choir with wide repertoire and professional conductor. No auditions required.

The Steeple Aston Choral Society is a long established Village Society that began in the early 1980’s for singers of all abilities. We are a group of about 20 to 30 men and women who enjoy singing traditional choral works - everything from Vivaldi’s Gloria to a themed concert of ‘Music from the movies’ which included items from Shrek, James Bond and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. We have professional tenor Paul Badley as our director and Pianist/Organist Paul Herrington is deputy director and accompanist. With the two Pauls we have a terrific time at rehearsals with lots of laughs but lots of great singing as well. The tea break half way through gives us a chance to have a chat, socialise and get to know the other singers. We schedule three concerts per year at Christmas, spring and summer which are usually performed in either the Village Hall or in the village Church, depending on the music to be performed.
The Christmas concert is usually a traditional affair with Christmas Carols and audience participation as well as our chosen classical work. The choir also joins with people from the village to form an ad-hoc Church Choir to take part in the parish church Christmas carol service. The spring and summer concerts generally cover a much wider range of musical tastes. In the past we have performed Vivaldi’s Gloria, Handel’s Coronation Anthems, Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo by Joseph Horovitz, Jonah Man Jazz by Michael Hurd, a Movie Music themed concert and many more.
The choir meets for rehearsals in the village hall every Monday evening from 7:45pm to 9:45pm. Membership is open to all singers regardless of age and ability. It is not necessary to read music, only the ability to sing in tune is essential and we don’t require auditions to join.

How to join the choir
To join the choir simply turn up at Steeple Aston Village Hall for one of our rehearsals just before 7:45pm. It is best to try and come at the start of the term when we begin new music but you can join any time. If you would prefer, you can of course contact us beforehand, see the details below.
The choir meets for rehearsals in the village hall every Monday evening from 7:45pm to 9:45pm. Membership is open to all singers regardless of age or ability. It is not necessary to read music, only the ability to sing in tune is essential and we don’t require auditions to join. We are truly an all comers choir with no one being turned away.
The first two rehearsals you attend are free of charge and are your chance to try us out. After that you will be required to join as a member. Subscription fees are set annually and payable each term. The current membership fee is £40 per term. Members are encouraged to join for the whole year but you are welcome, as several members do, to drop in and out each term as your personal schedule dictates. For your first term we offer new members a special reduced rate of just £10 for 12 weeks of rehearsals!
Your membership fees pay for the hire of the Village hall, hire of concert venues, director and accompanist fees and hire of any soloists required for the concerts. Our only income is ticket sales for the concerts and membership fees.

Our People
Musical Director: Paul Badley
Paul has worked with some of the best vocal ensembles in the world such as The Monteverdi Choir; The Sixteen; The Tallis Scholars and The Gregorian Singers, singing in excess of 25 operatic roles ranging from Kurt Weill's "Seven Deadly Sins" to Tamino in Mozart's The Magic Flute.
Over his twenty five year career, Paul has toured the Middle and Far East singing Broadway repertoire; sung in session choirs for innumerable Hollywood films and has sung backing on crossover albums and pop discs for artists such as Seal, Bjork and Mike Oldfield.
Paul now divides his time between his family in Monmouth, teaching singing at Stowe School, Prior Park (Bath), Bromsgrove School and the Royal Welsh College of Music in Cardiff while still remaining an active professional tenor.

Deputy Director and accompanist: Paul Herrington
Paul studied piano and organ at the Royal Academy of Music and has been a Secondary School Head of Music, the full time Music Director at St Aldates Church Oxford, a Middle School Music teacher, Head of Electronic Keyboards for the Oxfordshire County Music service as well as undertaking private music teaching. He is currently the Oxford Representative for the London College of Music Exams.

Next Concert:

A Christmas Cracker

Saturday 14th December 2019 at 7pm (doors open 6.30pm)
Venue: Stanton Harcourt Village Hall, 0X29 5SB
Tickets from choir members, St Andrew`s Bookshop, High Street, Witney,
and Rapture, Woolgate, Witney, and on line: ticketsource.co,uk/lowerwindrush
Cost: £10 (£12 on the door) under 18s free

Start your festivities with a cracker of a concert. Come along to Stanton Harcourt Village Hall
to enjoy drinks and nibbles while listening to the choir perform Christmas music through the ages,
directed by Terry McNamara.

Spring Concert

May 30th 2020
Bach`s St John Passion
at the Methodist Church, Witney
details to be confirmed

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Our Background:

Lower Windrush Choral Society was formed in 1991 and since then has sung a wide range of choral works from early and baroque music through to classical and contemporary. Our singers come from a wide ranging area, mostly in West Oxfordshire. We perform two or three concerts a year in local venues, venturing as far afield as Abingdon as well as Witney and the Lower Windrush parishes. Our professional Music Director is Terry McNamara, who is known for his patience and has been with this choir for over 10 years. Terry now lives in the area after spending some of his music career in France.

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New Members September 2019 Term Dates: 9 September - 16th December inclusive

Are you interested in singing in our Christmas Concert this December 14th? Please call our Chair Jenny MacDonald on 01865 300625 to let her know you would like to come
to rehearsals.

Singers for all voice parts are welcome and we offer a reduced price membership for under 30`s. We practice on Mondays 8 - 10 pm at Stanton Harcourt Primary School during term time. We are a friendly, non auditioning choir, numbering around 50 singers. Currently we would especially welcome those who sing Tenor (the tenor section currently includes 2 ladies). We are fortunate in having a well developed bass section and more are welcome. During the past few years we have absorbed a number of enthusiastic singers, some of whom also sing with another choir. There are occasions to get to know fellow singers, as we sometimes break early to chat over a glass of something warming. There is an opportunity to sing for two sessions before making any commitment to LWCS. Those in full time education or in receipt of job seeker`s allowance have free membership. Full fee for the year is £120,

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Our Earlier Events

Autumn 2019

The Lower Windrush Chamber Choir sang J.S. Bach: Cantatas 106 and 131
directed by Terry McNamara at St Mary`s Church, Bampton
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Spring 2019

Handel`s Messiah was sung in St Mary`s Church, Witney with St Mary`s Singers to
celebrate the 775th Anniversary of the church.

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Winter 2018 A Celebration of Parry

This concert of gorgeous melodious music by Parry, including his exquisite Ode to the Nativity
(a completely new challenge for the choir under Terry McNamara`s direction) kept us on our toes
and hopefully we gave the audience in the Methodist Church, Witney a lovely lead in to the
Season of Goodwill.
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Summer 2018 - Judas Maccabeaus - Handel.

We were joined by an invited orchestra, conducted by Terry McNamara. Our soloists
Aileen Thompson, Sophie Kent, Deryck Webb and Quentin Hayes wowed the packed audience
with this stunning piece and the choir held their own!
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Our Winter 2017 concert Love from Byrd to Bernstein was new style for us - a
cabaret style and as it was a sell out it seems the audience liked this venture and so did we!
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"Jubilate" on May 7th, at St Mary`s Church, Church Green, Witney.

The programme included Handel The King Shall Rejoice, Vivaldi Credo,
Monteverdi Beatus Vir and Vaughan Williams Mass in G Minor (for choir and 4 soloists
including Aileen Thomson soprano, Sam Mitchell, counter tenor, Matthew Keighley, tenor and Quentin Hayes, baritone)).
Music Director Terry McNamara. Organist Francis Rumsey.
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Our concert in our 25th Anniversary Year - European Baroque Music, November 20th 2016, included music
by Purcell (My Heart is Inditing), Pergolesi (Confitebor tibi, Domine) as well as excerpts from Handel`s Messiah.
Directed by Terry McNamara, with soloists Anna Shackleton, soprano, Ellie Edmonds, mezzo soprano, Deryck Webb, tenor
and Alex Jones, bass, we performed at St Mary the Virgin Church, Witney to a packed audience.
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On May 15th 2016 we performed Brahms German Requiem
at St Mary the Virgin Church, Witney. Musical Director: Terry McNamara
with Soloists Anna Shackleton, soprano, and Quentin Hayes, baritone.
Our young and brilliant Pianists were Michael Pandya and Keval Shah.
It was a wonderful celebratory concert on a May evening for both the
choir and audience.
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Summer Sing 2016. We met twice during summer for a relaxed singing session at St Denys, Northmoor and had fun learning some G&S including When a Wooer Goes A-wooing, Hail Poetry (Pirates of Penzance), I`m Called Little Buttercup (HMS Pinafore) and Brightly Dawns Our Wedding Day (The Mikado).
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Oxfordshire County Council Education, Employment and Training Team encourages all young people aged 13-19 (up to 24 with learning difficulties or disabilities) to participate in learning until 18, and to take part in regular, positive, organised leisure-time activities to support their wellbeing, healthy development, and successfully transition to employment and adulthood. Responsible officers within the authority include Jeremy Day and Jessie Dobson. Work includes:

- Listing organisations which offer positive activities to support wellbeing on the Family Information Service/Service Finder/Activities Oxfordshire
- Promoting arts activities accessible to younger age groups
- Encouraging young people to take part in activities

Find out more at www.activitiesoxfordshire.info and www.oxme.info

Jeremy Day is Digital Safeguarding Lead within the team and oversees the websites and associated social media presences. Free promotion provided for all activities suitable for children and young people.

**CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF BENJAMIN BRITTEN**

Britten was one of the greatest musicians of the twentieth-century. To this day he remains one of our most performed British composers with a catalogue of work ranging from opera and song to orchestral and chamber music.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Britten’s birth, Oxford will play host to an exciting year long programme of concerts, workshops and study days as well as provide a platform for regional artists to promote their own Britten events.

So, whether you are an ensemble, an educator or you simply wish to explore Britten’s work for your own pleasure then Britten in Oxford is the place to start. Details of all events can be found on the Britten in Oxford website.