A soprano who has performed at venues around the world has been unveiled as the new musical director of Thame Choral Society.
Helen Swift had early success in the BBC Choir Girl of the Year competition and has gone on to sing at St Paul’s Cathedral as well as in San Francisco and Salzburg.
She is starting her role with the Thame group this month and will be rehearsing with the choir for its Christmas concert, which this year include ‘A Ceremony of Carols’ for soloists, chorus and harp by Benjamin Britten.
Ms Swift started her singing career in Liverpool as a member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain aged 14.
She went on to win a choral scholarship to Clare College, Cambridge, where she studied music, and then opera in London and Dublin.
She now studies with Michelle Wegwart, artistic director of Magdala Opera in Nottingham.
Her recent opera roles have included Pamina in The Magic Flute, Oberto in Alcina and Susannah in Figaro.
Ms Swift has worked with many distinguished artists, including Sir David Willcocks, Stephen Cleobury and John Rutter, as well as on a DVD for comedian Lee Evans and spends time teaching.
More information about the choir can be found at www.thamechoralsociety.co.uk, or by emailing thamechoralsociety@hotmail.co.uk