The choir is a SATB four-part harmony choir based in Itchen Abbas, Winchester. The singers all share a passion for singing and enjoy all the aspects that come with being a part of a choir; well-being, improved breathing, focus on musicality, friendship, delving into historical music periods and singing soulful music.
Every year, we are proud to join together with other choirs from the area to form the Hampshire Choral Festival, giving the wonderful opportunity for a small friendly village choir to sing stunning works of music in incredible settings such as Winchester Cathedral and Romsey Abbey, along with professional soloists and an orchestra. We have been participating in this since 1925!
As well as singing in the Hampshire Choral Festival, we also hold our own concert in the village hall in December each year to raise funds for local charities and causes close to our hearts.
Our Team
Jackie Boot
Chairman
Jacqui Squire
Secretary
Vernon Tottle
Treasurer
Jane Bryant
Conductor
Lucinda Pillow
Accompanist
Our Conductor
With a degree in Music from Leeds University and a PGCE in Music (Edinburgh), Jane has a background in music education and arts management. With a wide range of experience, recent roles have included CEO of Artswork, CEO of Coda Music Trust, and Head of Development with Arts Council England. She started her career as a music teacher in the Orkney Islands (where she was involved with several first performances of works by Peter Maxwell Davies)subsequently becoming Head of Music in an international school in Dubai, where she also conducted the Dubai and Sharjah Singers and Orchestra.
Jane now works as a freelance arts consultant, drawing on her experience in strategic planning and in fundraising. Jane is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), Chair of Winchester Poetry Festival, and Trustee of national music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapy. She recently took up a new role as Independent Chair of the South Coast Music Partnership She is also in the final stages of studying for an MA in Music Education with University College London (UCL). In addition to the Itchen Valley Choir, Jane also conducts the Candover Valley Choir.
A Northington resident for many years, Jane Bryant was recently nominated for and received a Mayor of Winchester Community Award 2024, presented to her by the mayor, Cllr Angela Clear. Her nomination was due to her extensive voluntary work, which encompasses the arts, music and heritage roles and included the fundraising, overseeing and management of key aspects of the St John’s Heritage and Organ Restoration Project with its adult and children’s community education programmes.
Itchen Valley Choir 