Musical Team
Musical Director: Phillida Driver GRSM, LRAM, MTC

 

Phillida began her association with the choir in 1998.
She served initially as second piano accompanist and then as Deputy M.D before being appointed Musical Director in September 2006.
Born and educated in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, her musical career began with the study of piano, viola and music teaching at the Royal Academy of Music and London University.
Following graduation, Phillida enjoyed a long and successful teaching career in schools mainly in the South Bedfordshire area.
She became Head of Music at Manshead School in Dunstable, having responsibility for the school choir, orchestra and bands before retiring from the Education Authority in August 2006.
Phillida has also held positions as Musical Director with Dunstable Amateur Operatic Society,St Andrews Players and Tring Festival Society as well as being much in demand as piano accompanist for local soloists.
With her wide professional experience as a pianist, teacher, composer, arranger, orchestrator and conductor the choir is both fortunate and privileged to have Phillida as leader of the Musical Team.


From a childhood and education in Yorkshire, David came to live and work in Luton in 1968 as a lecturer in Higher Education. 
He joined the Vauxhall Male Voice Choir as a second tenor in 1996 and currently sings with the baritones. 
For a number of years he led a jazz group and chamber choir at a Luton High School. 
Retirement from full-time teaching in 2002 has given him more time to indulge his love of singing.  
Since 2005 he has been Musical Director of the Pulloxhill Singers, a 30-strong mixed choir based in South Bedfordshire.  
His recent appointment to the post of Assistant MD with the Vauxhall Male Voice Choir has added another dimension to a busy life. 
The combination of part-time work as a medical statistician, choirs, family life (married with three daughters and three grandchildren, all living locally) … not forgetting a passion for golf … has convinced him that life begins at sixty!

Assistant Musical Director: David Stott

Organ and Piano Accompanist: James Banville

 

James was born in Luton in 1970.
Following completion of his secondary education, he went on to study organ at the Royal Academy of Music, since when he has held successive appointments as organist at All Saints, Parish Church of St. Mary and currently at St. Luke's Church in Luton .
James is now a full-time musician in great demand as a concert soloist and accompanist for choirs and solo-singers.
A few years ago, he received the honour of being one of the few people invited to play a recital on the famous Willis Organ at Alexandra Palace.
Vauxhall Male Voice Choir is proud and privileged to have James on its permanent Musical Staff as resident Organist and Pianist.


Josie has been a full time musician throughout her working life.
Since training at Avery Hill College, University of London, she has held highly successful appointments as Head of Music at Denbigh and Bushmead schools in Luton over a period of more than thirty years.
Following her retirement from school teaching, Josie continues to teach piano privately and still has more that twenty pupils.
Currently Director of Music at St. Margaret's Methodist Church, Luton she is also a tireless worker for many national and local charitable organisations.
Josie first became involved with the Male Voice Choir in 1997 when she joined us as a temporary rehearsal pianist, supposedly for three months.
Such was the bond of affection, which grew between us that Josie remains a vital member of the Musical Team.

Piano Accompanist:
Josie Bass U of L Teachers Dip

 


Master of Ceremonies:
Terry Driver ARCM, DDMES
Terry Driver

 

Terry, having studied at Dartington College of Arts, is an accomplished violinist.
He is currently the conductor of Luton Concert Orchestra and Leader of Luton Symphony Orchestra.
He has appeared as guest soloist with the choir on many occasions and for the past several years has compèred the majority of our major concerts.

His wide knowledge of music and its history, coupled with his unique sense of humour and professional presentation makes him a most popular and valued member of the team.