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Congratulations Gillian Dibden, MBE
Gillian Dibden was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to youth choral music in Berkshire.
Gillian and her husband the Reverend Alan Dibden have been a vibrant force in the Taplow Community since Alan was appointed Rector in 1991. In addition to nourishing the spiritual soul of the village and its visitors, St Nicolas' Church has been the host for many community activities, most especially the Taplow Choirs under Gillian's leadership.
During her early career as music teacher at St Bernard's Convent School in Slough, her Chamber Choir won both National and International prizes in the European Broadcasting Union sponsored competition "Let The People Sing". Next Gillian became Head of Voice and Choral Music for the Berkshire Young Musicians' Trust, winning many times in the Youth and Junior Choir sections of the Sainsbury's Choir of the Year competition and once beating all the adult choirs to take the Choir of the Year award. Her Berkshire Youth Choir won numerous prizes at the National Festival of Music for Youth and performed at the School Proms in the Royal Albert Hall.
In 2002 Gillian was named National Choir Director of the year.
In September 2004 with Philip Viveash, a distinguished singer, choral teacher and conductor, Gillian set up the Taplow Choirs, now comprising Children's, Boys', Girls' and Youth Choirs. Weekly practice and regular performnaces are held in the Village Centre and St Nicolas' Church. The choirs are invited to perform at venues throughout the country and abroad, gaining an international reputation for choral excellence.
In 2008 the Taplow Youth Choir won the BBC Youth Choir of the Year award.
Karl Lawrence