The Thames Chamber Orchestra was formed by Michael Dobson in 1962 to take part in a series of concerts in the 14th century Parish Church at Kingston-upon-Thames. Since then, the orchestra has appeared at festivals at Windsor, Norwich, Fishguard, Nottingham, Cambridge, Pershore, Madley, Walsingham and at many other venues in this country and abroad, including the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, the Royal Albert Hall and St John's Smith Square. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the TCO has always invited the finest chamber musicians to be amongst its members and its sense of style and warmth of sound have frequently earned much praise both from the critics and from the many guest conductors who have worked with the orchestra.
The orchestra's Principal Conductor, Keith Marshall, read music at Caius College Cambridge, before going on to study oboe at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He has played in many of our most famous orchestras at the most prestigious concert halls and festivals such as the Salzburg and Edinburgh Festivals, Carnegie Hall in the USA, Suntory Hall in Japan (with the Philharmonia orchestra) and the Musikverein in Vienna with the English Chamber Orchestra. Keith has often appeared as soloist with the Thames Chamber Orchestra, playing concertos in both the Queen Elizabeth and Wigmore halls, and at other venues throughout the United Kingdom. He also conducts Lord Lloyd Webber's award winning Phantom of the Opera in London.
Gerard McDonald studied at the Royal Academy of Music where he gained several major prizes and scholarships. Together with Keith Marshall he won the first Croft Original Prize for Early Music and he succeeded Keith Marshall as Shinn Fellow, during which time he was largely responsible for introducing the study of historical instruments at the RAM. One of the few present-day musicians to re-create the baroque practice of multi-instrument virtuosity, he performs regularly on historical flute, oboes, recorders and chalumeau with many London concerto appearances to his credit. He has given the first British performances of works by Vivaldi (flute), Telemann (oboe) and Fasch (chalumeau). Recent projects include his reconstructions of the Bach organ trios at the St Anne’s Bach Festival and a sell out concert at St Cecilia’s Hall Edinburgh featuring recorder and oboe works by Handel’s London based woodwind colleagues. His teaching activities include London (RHUL) and Kingston Universities.
The Choir of Christ's College Cambridge's raison d'etre is, as it has always been, is to sing services in the College Chapel. Choral Evensong is sung on Thursday and Sunday Evenings during Full Term, and Choral Eucharist services take place on a less frequent basis. More generally, the Choir makes an important contribution to the life of the College, singing at feasts, weddings, memorial services and other occasions. Today, as one of Cambridge's finest mixed-voice ensembles, the group also pursues an exciting range of activities outside College, performing concerts in Cambridge and around the UK, recording CDs, broadcasting, and undertaking a major international tour each summer. The 24 members are selected by audition either before or after coming up to Cambridge, and each is expected to be of a very high musical standard. Most hold Choral Exhibitions, and all benefit from regular vocal training with top London singers.