About the Northampton Chamber Choir

The Laurence Lloyd Singers with Stephen Meakins
Pershore Abbey, 1986

Northampton Chamber Choir has been performing in and around Northamptonshire, from where it draws its members, for over 40 years. Its reputation was firmly established by founder conductor Stephen Meakins, under whose direction the choir was called the Laurence Lloyd Singers.

Although a secular group, the choir has tended to specialise in unaccompanied sacred music and under Stephen's direction has sung in many churches and concert halls both locally and nationwide, and in a number of cathedrals round and about the country. The choir has always consisted of a mixture of students and older members and, regardless of changes over the years, the object has remained ever constant: enjoyment in making music together to a high standard in a convivial atmosphere.

Stephen Meakins retired as Musical Director following the Christmas Concert in 2000. The choir appointed Stephen Bell as conductor in April 2001 and changed its name to The Northampton Chamber Choir. A very successful performance of the Mozart Requiem followed at St Giles Church, with the Northampton Guildhall Orchestra.

Barrie Johnson

In April 2003 the choir was pleased to appoint Barrie Johnson as Musical Director. Under Barrie's leadership the choir enjoyed a major expansion of the repertoire and style of music, which broadened the choir's appeal to its audiences.

Barrie is Head of Music at the Northampton School for Boys and brought experience of a wide range of musical tastes to the choir. The choir was disappointed when, in May 2005, Barrie found that his school commitments at NSB prevented him for continuing.

Northampton Chamber Choir with Barrie Johnson, 2003

Robert Walker

September 2005 - Ex Choir member returns as new Musical Director

When Robert Walker joined the Laurence Lloyd Singers as a teenager, he never thought he would return to Northampton over forty years later and be appointed its Musical Director!
Although the name has changed, the choir is still going strong, with a couple of members who remember Robert’s beautiful alto voice, before he left for Cambridge and a career in music that has taken him to far off places. Now a well established composer with a comprehensive catalogue of published works that have been commissioned, performed, broadcast and recorded by top orchestras and musicians around the world, Robert has returned to his Northamptonshire roots to live.

Coinciding with Barrie's resignation, Robert Walker’s return could not have been better timed for the choir.

Rehearsal in Worcester Cathedral

Robert is delighted to have the opportunity of conducting music from the wide repertoire of chamber choir pieces old and new, working with local amateur singers who thoroughly enjoy their music-making. He commented “It’s a great joy to be in front of such an expert group of singers who get my jokes.”

Robert has his own web site: Robert Walker

Sadly, in September 2007, Robert's overseas commitments prevented him from continuing in his role as Musical Director.

However as one door closes another opens, or re-opens! The choir is pleased to appoint Stephen Meakins as Musical Director in October 2007.

Today's Northampton Chamber Choir is a quite different Choir from the Laurence Lloyd Singers back in 2000, and Stephen is looking forward to challenging the choir with a wide variety of choral music.