Our Conductor

Jackie Ayres

Jackie studied the piano as her first instrument, and gained a place on the Graduate course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama London, in conjunction with London University, and studied all aspects of music including history, composition, choral and orchestral conducting, among others. Her teachers included John Alldis, a leading fixture in choral music here and around the world. She conducted her first choir before going to collect, and whilst at the GSM was part of a choir used for coaching the advanced conducting course, many of whom have become well known internationally.

Within six months of leaving college Jackie was appointed Head of Music in a London school, followed by another, where she established choirs and orchestras.

After moving to Somerset Jackie has spent her time teaching piano, clarinet, flute, GCSE and A level privately and in schools including Redland in Bristol. Throughout she has been an accompanist, including master classes and recitals at Bristol University. Alongside these activities, she established and conducted for 25 years a prize winning youth orchestra, which played internationally in Paris and London. She has home educated her three daughters who are all now professional musicians.

Jackie firmly believes in the importance of amateur music making to the highest possible standard, furthering the achievements of our predecessors, but at the same time, the incalculable contribution that making music together makes to our wellbeing. Developing the social aspect of the choir is very important to her, as well as presenting a wide variety of music.