About Us.
The Torbay Police Choir was formed in February 1972, and held its first outing in March that year at Newton Abbot police station. In its modern form, membership consists of a proportion of retired police officers and civilian staff, but also has a roughly equal number of members from all walks of life. Currently there are almost 30 active members in the choir, but there is no upper limit to numbers so anyone interested to learn more about choir membership please select the “Contact” button. Recently the choir has changed its name to the Torbay Police and Community choir, we are a progressive choir under the directorship of Hannah Spooner and to top that we have a great social life. Please if you are interested in joining us do as it says above use the “Contact” form and send us your details.
St John the Apostle
Torquay
Julia McKenzie CBE
Patron
Julia McKenzie was born on February 17th 1941 in Enfield Middlesex. She is an actress, a singer and a writer, and was previously married to Jerry Harte. Her mother Kathleen was a professional singer too and Julia got a scholarship to the Guildhall School of music. She has been awarded the Lawrence Oliver Theatre Award in 1983 for best actress in the musical Guys and Dolls, and in 1994 for her performance in Sweeney Todd at the Royal National theatre. She was also nominated in 1980 for best actress in the 20th Century, but lost out to Gemma Craven. In 1987 she received the London Evening Standard Theatre Award for best actress for her performance in Woman in Mind and was nominated for a Tony Award in 1977for best actress in her performance on Broadway in Sondheim’s Side by Side. Incidentally at that time she appeared as Julie N McKenzie (instead of Julia McKenzie) due to a similar named American actress. Julia has appeared several times in London Stage Musicals. More recently in 2005 she appeared in the Philadelphia Story at the Old Vic. In 2023 Miss McKenzie agreed to become Patron for the Torbay Police and Community choir. Our Secretary stated that the committee felt it was quite unique due to her connection to the Bay and Agatha Christie and Miss Marple’s working with the Police. We are proud to have her as our Patron
Choir Objectives
Raising money for charities and other good causes. Charities ranging from local Cancer Charities to the Children of Chernobyl.
To promote the love of music and singing, and bringing many different genres of music to the public.
The choir does not limit concerts to the local area of Torbay. It has made two visits to its twin town of Hameln, and also visited Hamburg, Eindhoven and Maastricht. In late summer 2012, the choir travelled to Shropshire to perform. In November 2013, the choir made their third tour to Hameln in Germany, and in May 2014, the choir performed with the Beaufort Male Voice Choir in Ebbw Vale South Wales. In September 2015, the choir returned to Germany to sing with a choir from Simmern on the river Rhin. This concert was a great success and the church was full. Afterwards a lively social occasion was given by the choir before we returned to our hotel.
During 2017, the choir had been to Berlin to perform at the Berlin Police Choirs, Spring Concert. This concert was a huge success and a wonderful time was had by all. It is hoped that one day they will make a return visit to us in Torbay.
The choir once again returned to Wales and joined with the Beaufort Male Voice Choir where a great evening was held by all with a large appreciative audience attending. This year we are once again returning to Wales to join the Abertillery choir.
Musical Director.
Hannah was educated at Torquay Grammar School for Girls’ and the Royal Northern College of Music where she studied for a Bachelor of Music degree in academic music, with lessons on trumpet and piano. Hannah was Head of Music at St Cuthbert Mayne School in Torquay for twelve years before she ‘retired’ to bring up her children. Hannah is now a freelance musician and teacher in the local area.She also plays for various shows and musical ensembles both on trumpet and on piano and also accompanies people for performances and exams. She was thrilled to be asked to take over as MD on Alan’s retirement from the choir.
Accompanist.
David Giles
Accompanist
After studying music at Cambridge, I joined a travelling theatre company as musician and composer. After several years of intensive touring I met my future wife, joined the civil service and settled in Devon. Recently I have enjoyed accompanying local amateur musical theatre societies and now enjoying my time with the Police choir.
