Geoff began his professional musical career in Ipswich. From there, he and his family moved to Lancashire and then to Bedford, where he conducted many orchestral and choral performances and musicals. He returned to Suffolk thirteen years ago.
In the past, for ten years, Geoff was Director of the Gippeswyk Singers, a chamber choir in Ipswich that he founded many years ago, He has also directed and accompanied many “Come & Sing” performances of a variety of choral works in the East Anglian region.
Geoff is conductor of Beccles Choral Society and Musical Director of the Phoenix Singers, Framlingham performing many of the major large choral works. The combined choirs, with Lambeth Orchestra, have given four previous concerts at Snape Maltings, the latest a Vaughan Williams programme, including the “Sea” Symphony, in May 2024. A further concert is planned for May 2026, performing Elgar’s “Dream of Gerontius”.
Recent concerts have included “The Armed Man” by Karl Jenkins, Mendelssohn’s “Elijah”, Handel’s “Messiah” and Rossini’s “Petite Messe Solennelle”. Future concerts are to include Fauré’s “Requiem”, Mozart’s “Vespers” and “Requiem” , Brahms’ “Requiem” and Haydn’s “Creation”.
As well as conducting, Geoff has written a series of thirteen booklets about the symphonic repertoire, regularly plays the organ at Aldeburgh and also works as an accompanist
Carolyn Gibley – Rehearsal Accompanist and Harpsichordist
Carolyn went to Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester from the age of 14 as a recorder player and pianist changing, after a year, from piano to harpsichord.
Following further studies at the University of East Anglia and as a post-graduate at Guildhall School of Music and Drama she has been lucky enough to combine her love of baroque music with that of working in a small chamber ensemble. Carolyn has played with Handel specialists The Brook Street Band since 1999, with whom she has played at major venues in the UK and around Europe such as Wigmore Hall, Snape Maltings, and festivals in Spain, Finland and Croatia.
The Band teaches regularly at Dartington International Summer School (now The Music Summer School and Festival) and has released thirteen critically acclaimed CDs, with Gramophone Magazine awarding several of them Editor’s Choice. The Brook Street Band’s recording of The Dragon of Wantley recently won BBC Music Magazine recording of the year. The BSB’s recordings are regularly broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Classic FM and stations across the world.
The Brook Street Band runs its own festival, love:Handel, in Norfolk. Carolyn has edited the songs of the 17th century Italian Luigi Rossi from a manuscript held in Christchurch College, Oxford, and, for The Brook Street Band, has transcribed Bach’s Organ Trio Sonatas for two violins and continuo and Handel’s recorder sonatas for cello, both of which The Band has recorded.
Whilst she specialises in the baroque, Carolyn has continued to play the piano throughout her career. During her time at UEA Carolyn was the accompanist for Wymondham Choral Society and then in London was the musical director for several amateur dramatic companies including New Maldon and the NatWest Theatre Company with whom she played in some productions of Sondheim. Carolyn now lives in South Norfolk and is delighted to be the accompanist for Beccles Choral Society and Phoenix Singers in Framlingham.