Archived Page
This page is no longer maintained.
For up-to-date information please see the
new website
American Choirmaster for Taplow
Andrew Boddicker joins the Taplow Choirs from the USA where he was Director of the Boys' and Children's Choir and a teacher of music in a primary school in Oregon.
Andrew graduated with honours from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and
he completed his Masters in Musical Education at the University of
Illinois. There he focused not only on teaching music to youngsters but
also on teaching future teachers. Unlike the USA where certification is
compulsory, the UK has no requirement for a degree in musical education
in order to teach at primary level. However Andrew says there is more a
traditional acceptance of singing in choirs here which makes teaching
all the more enjoyable.
He spotted the post in Taplow on the internet and came to the UK for
interviews last October. He now teaches in a Primary School in London
and started teaching the Taplow Boys' Choir and the Children's Choir at
weekends in mid-January.
The Children's Choir meets during term time on a Saturday from 10:00am
until 11:00am. There are currently 34 in the Children's Choir and 21 in
the Boys' Choir – 40 in each would be an ideal number to make a
wonderful sound. There is no audition – enthusiasm is enough. The Boys'
Choir rehearsal is immediately after the Children's Choir from 11:15am
till 12:15pm. For more information about Taplow Choirs, including the
Girls' Choir and Youth Choir, visit the website at
www.taplowchoirs.org.uk
What will be the choirs' repertoire? 'As broad as it is long' is
Andrew's answer since children like adults enjoy an eclectic choice of
song from folk to classical and from reverential to ethnic as long as
the music is of quality and is within their range. Andrew also
introduces and arranges unaccompanied singing – for example, the Boys'
Choir is at present learning a sacred song from the Caribbean.
In spite of all the modern-day distractions, Andrew finds the children
very keen and committed to their singing. They aim to give a concert
every term; their next performance will be at 7:30pm on 29th June at St
Luke's Church, Norfolk Road in Maidenhead.
Taplow is truly fortunate to have such a focus of talent for music in
the parish. Gillian Dibden was the innovator and her team is now
strengthened by the fresh talent of Andrew Boddicker.
Maureen Dennis