History
Bristol Cabot Choir, an amateur mixed-voice choir, originated in XIV School, a boys Preparatory school in Druid Stoke Avenue, Stoke Bishop (now a residential Home) taking its name from its original premises at No.14 Apsley Road, Clifton. The original choir under the MD Sylvia Harris started in 1972 and consisted of boys, staff and parents. When the school finally closed in 1977 it was decided that XIV Singers should continue as an independent choir, replacing the boys with ladies. In the next 12 years, the choir flourished, its numbers increasing from 14 to 43 by 1990 when it was decided to change its name to the Bristol Cabot Choir. Numbers have risen to around 60 to 70 members.
Conductors & Musical Directors
Since its inception XIV Singers / Bristol Cabot Choir has had four Musical Directors. Sylvia Harris (BA Music) was the first MD from 1972-92, succeeded by Simon Goodman (Barrister and Music graduate). Simon expanded the choir’s repertoire and musical skills, handing over to Bristol music graduate Ben England in 2003. Ben developed the choir’s repertoire with great skill and good humour before leaving to become Colston Girls’ Academy’s Director of Music in May 2011. He was succeeded by our current MD Rebecca Atherton (Née Holdeman) MA (Music) who joined the Choir in 2011
