Chantage, James Davey
Biographie Chantage, James Davey
James Davey
is one of the UK's most distinguished and respected young choral directors, in demand for his work as conductor, choir trainer, choral education practitioner, arranger and adjudicator.
A graduate of the Birmingham Conservatoire and Roehampton University, where he gained his MA in Choral Education, James studied conducting with the Association of British Choral Directors (ABCD) and under many eminent choral figures, including; Mike Brewer, Peter Broadbent, Therees Hibbard, Paul Spicer, Ralph Allwood and Bob Chilcott. He has since returned to teach conducting for both Roehampton University and the ABCD, and is on the ABCD’s Council of Practitioners.
Formerly the chief choral advisor for the BBC’s sheet music archives, James has delivered projects for the BBC Singers Education Department as workshop leader and mentor, as well as regularly conducting and preparing choirs for broadcasts on TV and Radio.
At the heart of his busy schedule James is Musical Director for; Chantage - BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year 2006 (which he founded in 1999 whilst Music Assistant at St Paul's Cathedral School), the Chandos Chamber Choir, the Aylesbury Festival Choir, the Fleet Singers and a number of work-place choirs, including; 4Tunes (Channel 4's staff choir) and Gleemantle (Fremantle's staff choir). James is also Chief Music Consultant and workshop leader for the Music Of Life Foundation, a charity giving children with special needs opportunities to learn and perform with professional musicians.
He is also a choir trainer and tutor for ARK Schools, the Royal College of Music Junior Department and Junior Trinity College of Music, a Guest Conductor for the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, and a tutor for the Cranleigh Choral Week, the Ingenium Academy and the Sherborne Summer School of Music.
Chantage
was formed in 1999 by its Musical Director James Davey, and quickly established itself in London as a stylish and energetic young chamber choir. It draws singers from all over the country and from all walks of life.
Strong commitment from its members has helped forge a growing reputation as an outstanding amateur choir with a national reputation. Chantage performs a wide range of repertoire, programming works traditionally performed by English chamber choirs alongside lesser known works sourced from foreign choral cultures.
More recently Chantage has been experimenting with group vocal percussion and other unusual contemporary styles. There is something for everyone at each Chantage performance, and the choir will take on any vocal challenge. The choir supports young composers, regularly premiering new compositions and arrangements, many being written by its members. Chantage also encourages self-improvement through regular workshops, enabling members to learn vocal techniques, and new styles of music. The choir regularly performs across the United Kingdom and collaborates with choirs of all types, particularly school and youth choirs.
