We are currently recruiting for a new musical director
The Great Western Chorus, based in Bristol, has a long and proud history in UK barbershop, We have won 10 gold medals at the British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) annual convention and have represented our country in international singing competitions since starting in 1974.
The Musical Director serves as the musical coordinator for the Chorus, as we aspire to A level performance. They provide the artistic and musical vision, leadership and inspiration, as well as the technical and teaching skills, developed from their experience of directing a high-quality chorus, to continue to advance GWC’s artistic excellence, while facilitating the enjoyment reflected in our motto of ‘Fun singing well’.
For further details and an application pack, email Mark - chair@greatwesternchorus.com
Recently we bid a sad farewell to our Director of 23 years, Linda Corcoran. as she decided to hand over the reins to the next generation.
Since 2000, Linda has been the front-line director of The Great Western Chorus of Bristol, the most successful Men’s barbershop chorus in UK history having won the British Championship a record 10 times. Linda led the chorus to 4 of those Gold Medals and has, 3 times, taken the chorus to the World Championships in the USA, most recently to Orlando in July 2018.
She has a wealth of experience, boundless energy and a deep and genuine passion for close harmony. She brings that passion to everything she does and has the enviable knack of making others feel the same as she does about great music and inspiring performance.
Linda's early musical background was in piano and the world of Lancashire Brass Bands, where she played Flugel Horn. Discovering the sound of Barbershop harmony, when she was just 15 years old, was life-changing not only for her but for the whole Corcoran family who remained involved for many years.
Linda was a founder member of Preston Ladies Barbershop Singers, The Red Rosettes, and directed them throughout the 1990’s.
She holds 2 LABBS Quartet Gold Medals, the first singing Tenor with the 1994 Champions Checkmate and then, in 2007, as the Lead in Havoc.
Linda is also co-musical director of The Bristol Mix, www.thebristolmix.com, who won mixed chorus Gold at the 2022 BABS convention.
Linda works full time as a vocal coach and choir leader running Go Vocal, two community rock and pop choirs in Bristol and Cheltenham, bringing fun and harmony to everyday lives. She is in great demand as an arranger and coach in the UK and abroad and is a member of the Music Services team for IABS (Irish Association of Barbershop Singers). Since 2015 she has directed Harmony Federation, Ireland’s National Men’s Barbershop Chorus.
Linda’s ethos is that learning, rehearsing and performing music should always include a large dose of fun!
