About the Choir

Formed in 1997 by Hilary Tadman-Robins, the Choir's first musical director, and a group of committed parents , the Cotswold Children’s Choir meets every Saturday in the Cotswold town of Burford.

The Choir consists of boys and girls aged 7-18 with diverse backgrounds and coming from four different counties who meet and rehearse every Saturday and compete in competitions all across the UK (and now internationally). The Choir is divided into a junior and youth choir and currently comprises around 60 members.

The combination of encouragement and discipline, and the warm and supportive atmosphere, helps children to build confidence in their musical and performing skills. Many parents find that the increased general confidence and self-belief spills over into other areas of their children’s lives.

Other former members of the choir are now beginning to make their way in the world of professional music. For most however, the choir offers the chance to participate in choral music of a very high standard whilst enjoying the sheer fun of singing.  The choir is self-funded and operated by volunteer parents of children who are members of the choir.

Our Musical Director - Jacki Pattenden

Jacki studied music at Dartington College of Arts as a singer and violinist and orchestral performance at the Centre for Orchestral Studies, Goldsmth’s College, London. This was then followed with a PGCE at Bulmershe College, Reading, resulting in qualification as a teacher; a career she has been pursuing for the past twenty-eight years! She is widely experienced in working in music education and has directed numerous choral and instrumental ensembles. Prior to joining the Cotswold Children’s Choir, she was the Musical Director of the Thamesdown Ladies Choir. At present, Jacki works as a music teacher, free-lance violinist and choral workshop leader in and around Wiltshire, its neighbouring counties and further afield. She is also a singing advisory teacher for the Voices Foundation which involves supporting teacher colleagues throughout the southwest. She is the author of ‘Take off with the Violin’, a beginner violin tutor book published by Kevin Mayhew Publishers.