About the Thamesdown Ladies Choir
The Thamesdown Ladies Choir, also known affectionately as TLC, perform in and around Swindon - at many venues in neighbouring villages and towns, performing in churches, halls and residential homes.
Traditionally, the choir host a June concert at the Wyvern Theatre, featuring not only the choir but a host of musical talent! Every year different guests are invited to appear with the choir, and have previously included local bands, dance groups, soloists and other choirs. We also hold a Christmas concert each year at Bath Road Methodist Church in Old Town, Swindon to start off the yuletide celebrations.
We have raised many thousands of pounds over the years since 1975 for different local charities, and hope to continue to do so for many years to come.
The Origins Of The Choir
The Thamesdown Ladies Choir was first established in 1975 by Mrs Patricia Langley-Poole and was at that time called ‘The Thamesdown Singers’. There were around 20 members then but now 30 years later that has risen to some 65 ladies, which still includes a few of the original members. To help the Choir mark its 25th anniversary as well as the Millennium, a Compact Disc was produced of the Choir’s favourite pieces at that time. Milestone Concerts are held every 5 years.
In 2002 Pat Langley-Poole retired after 27 years with the choir as Musical Director and the ladies were then joined by Jackie Pattenden. She developed the choir by introducing new music and also encouraging a small group of the ladies to form "A Touch of TLC" (formerly ‘TLC Reduced’). They have entertained audiences 'a cappella' [without accompaniment] and a variety of lighter pieces. Further, a few members were encouraged as soloists featuring in certain songs or by performing duets.
In the past the choir has taken part in music festivals, in Portsmouth, Bournemouth and Llandudno to name but a few. The Ladies have also undertaken various tours around the country over the years – to towns and villages in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and Sussex raising money for their local charities. In 2005 they also visited Swansea and Taunton by invitation to sing with the Male voice choirs in those areas.
After 3 years directing the choir, Jackie moved on to a new challenge of directing a local youth choir, whom I am sure will benefit under her new leadership as much as TLC have.
Looking To The Future...
Chris Body took over the baton as the Musical Director in January 2006 and the choir look forward to where she might take us.
Chris Body is an independent music teacher and college lecturer with diverse musical experience in piano, percussion and choral work.
Playing piano from the age of seven, she was educated at Chelmsford County High School for Girls, studied as a Saturday scholar at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and graduated in Music from York University in 1975.
She gained radio production experience at the BBC, working on programmes for World Service Music and Schools Radio.
Chris has spent many years as a schools music teacher at primary and secondary level in Buckinghamshire and now lives and teaches in the Swindon area.
