Gildenburgh Choir - Musical Director

Musical Director - Celia Johns BSc(Hons), Mus Dip

Celia's background has always been associated with music, with a father who enjoyed playing the piano, and a mother who was an extremely good pianist and singer. A singer herself from the age of 7, she learned first the descant recorder (soon followed by all the other instruments in the recorder family), and then at secondary school the clarinet became her instrument of choice. She was an enthusiastic member of the school choir, taking several solo parts in operettas at school. Celia's specialist subject at college was music, giving her an insight into writing and arranging for choirs, as well as taking part in large choral performances at St Paul's Cathedral, the Royal Albert Hall, and the Royal Festival Hall as a member of the St Paul's Cathedral Special Choir.

Since leaving college Celia has sung in church choirs, local operatic societies, and "scratch" choirs. Her main occupation in music since 1981 has been with the Gildenburgh Choir, where she has sung both soprano and alto lines over the years, and has been a member of the Choir Committee for most of the time she has been a member. She has been Choir Secretary and Assistant Musical Director for 25 years, and took on the role of Musical Director in September 2012.

In addition to local musical activities, Celia is the General Secretary and Webmaster of the National Association of Choirs, and is proud to attend conferences and concerts all over the UK to represent the NAC. She is also a member of both the Association of British Choral Directors and Sing for Pleasure.

The Gildenburgh Choir

Peterborough's mixed voice choir singing a wide range of music