Director of Music
Sara Benbow, Director of Music
We are delighted that Sara Benbow has joined us as Music Director. She has been involved in choral music all her life.
As the daughter of the organist & choirmaster, she served an apprenticeship in choral direction from an early age and as a church chorister from age of 7.
She has been involved with Choral Societies from the age 11 (including PCS in her teens and early 20s). She had a choristership at Collegiate Church of the Holy Cross, Crediton and is currently a member of St Paul’s Cathedral Chorus and Goring Chamber Choir.
Her various experiences directing choirs include Director of Music St Bartholomew’s, Lower Basildon from 2017 to date, Choir Director of St Mary’s, Whitchurch & St John’s Whitchurch Hill 2018 to date, Director of Queen’s Memorial Choir, Goring 2022 and Director of King’s Coronation Choir, Goring 2023.
Her other musical involvements include Assistant Conductor of Goring & Streatley Concert Band from 2019 Music Director and composer/arranger for Sinodun Players and Goring Gap Players productions. She also plays various instruments including French Horn, Alto sax, Violin and Organ.
She is also proficient in the use of music and video software including MuseScore, ForScore, GarageBand and Final Cut Pro as well as all Microsoft Office/365 Suite elements.
Her philosophy of musical directorship embraces the concepts of:
- Inclusion
- Excellence
- Enjoyment
- Diversity
She was able to step in at very short notice for our concert in June 2022 when our Music Director was struck down with Covid and all choir members were highly impressed by her ability to slot in and encourage us to perform a very successful concert.
She brings enthusiasm and imagination to the society to offer a range of ideas regarding our concerts and we look forward to an enjoyable and successful partnership.