About us

Founded in 1985 by Tim Godfrey, Questors Choir is a mixed voice ensemble of about 60 singers, conducted by Musical Director Philip Norman. In 2009 the Choir became a registered charity.  In 2011 Betty Roe was elected as our Honorary President.

Affiliated to Questors, Ealing’s Theatre, and a member of Ealing Arts and Making Music, we are an independent, self-governing body, and our policy is that the Choir be self-funding, mainly from subscriptions and ticket sales. 

We welcome singers of all abilities. Some of our more experienced members have been with Questors Choir for over 20 years, but we also have newcomers who’ve only just started singing with the choir. All share one passion - a love of choral music performed in a fun and friendly atmosphere.

The choir year runs from September to July (we take a summer break). Concerts are usually performed in December, around Easter and in early July in venues in and around Ealing. Our repertoire is deliberately varied, from Baroque and Classical to Contemporary choral works, not to forget traditional Christmas carols and the occasional Scandinavian folk song!

In June 2006, Questors Choir joined forces with West London Sinfonia and St Matthew’s Choir to perform Verdi Requiem.

In October 2007, Questors Choir hosted a social and musical Anglo-Norwegian evening with Norwegian choir Øystre Slidre Sanglag, an event that concluded their UK tour 2007 and celebrated the strong choral traditions of both nations. The Choir also takes part in the annual Sangverstevne, an international choral festival.

In December 2009, Questors Choir members took part in the Questors Theatre production of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol. And in June 2012, the Choir provided a concert at the theatre as part of the Olympic Torch Festival.

Other performances have included Howard Goodall Eternal Light, Cherubini Requiem in C minor, Beethoven Mass in C, Parry I Was Glad, Haydn Te Deum, Mozart Coronation Mass, Salieri Requiem, Britten Jubilate Deo and Te Deum in C, Vivaldi Gloria, Betty Roe A Song for Your Supper, as well as various popular songs such as Blue Suede Shoes and Lipstick on your Collar.

You can find photos taken at some of our past performances in the Photo gallery.

If you would like to join the Choir, read about our membership terms and subscription fees.  Also take a look at our objectives, the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), and read about how the Choir is managed. You can also download a New Members Enquiry Form

Philip Norman FRCO, ARCM, GTCL, LTCL

Musical Director of Questors Choir since September 2003, Philip also conducts Chorale Cantando, St John’s Festival Choir and the Woodford Symphony Orchestra in East London. He is also organist at St Marien mit St Georg German Lutheran Church in London. 

Philip holds international choir festivals, choral workshops and singing competitions around London and organises concert tours at home and abroad.  He also provides practical and advisory support for a wide range of music making activities (http://www.pnms.co.uk).

Betty Roe MBE, LRAM, ARCM

Honorary President of Questors Choir, Betty began playing the piano aged 6 and music has been the centre of her life ever since, with a professional career stretching over sixty years which has included playing, composing, singing, teaching, conducting, running workshops, examining and adjudicating.  Her compositions range from operas to pantomimes, choral works to musicals.  She started the NorthKen Choir/Chorale/Opera in the 1960s and remained with them until their recent closure.  She now sings for pleasure with the Questors Choir, and was elected Honorary President in 2011, but still finds time to organise weekend workshops, teach and judge competitions.  Her website is http://www.bettyroe.com

Richard Wilkins

Richard accompanies the Choir in rehearsals and in some performances. Richard studied music at Nottingham University and did a post-graduate in piano accompaniment at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

He is a highly experienced coach and accompanist who has taught at many vocal summer schools over the years.  He is Assistant Director of Music at The Hall School in Hampstead and Conductor of the Tritone Singers on the Isle of Wight — where he now lives.

Rehearsal tracks for the Faure and Gounod can be found at:www.pnms.co.uk/questors