About the choir
The Keble Choir is a voluntary choir of around 35 singers that undertakes an annual, week-long residency in a UK cathedral around the first week of August. It has visited a Cathedral every summer since its foundation (with the exception of 2020) and also sings a Candlemas service in early February.
The Keble Choir was founded in 1985 by Canon Gary Philbrick who was musical director until his death in 2024. The choir owes its legacy to Gary and continues to sing to a high standard in churches and cathedrals around the country. Gary was extremely generous, kind, and talented, a man of great wisdom and insight; and he is both missed and celebrated by the choir. His injunction to ‘laugh and sing’ characterises the Keble Choir and it is this spirit that remains integral to the group today.
The choir is named after John Keble who began his ministry in Otterbourne in Hampshire where Gary had his first parish.
A typical Cathedral residency involves singing Monday to Sunday in a UK Anglican Cathedral, with 6 singing days and a day off (usually Thursday). The choir sings Evensong every singing day as well as Eucharist on Sunday (with the option of Matins).
For each residency the choir hires basic, low-cost accommodation (e.g. a church hall), and every evening shared meals are prepared by cooking teams assembled from members of the choir.
Choir membership is non auditioned, by recommendation and subject to D.O.M approval. Singing experience, preferably in a church setting is required.
Keble Choir Summer Residency at Norwich Cathedral in 2024
Who’s who?
Colin Davey: Director of Music
Colin has been involved with Keble Choir for over 30 years, initially as a singer and for several years as our organist. He is a music teacher and ran several parish choirs before becoming Director of Music at Wimborne Minster. He became D.O.M of Keble Choir in 2024.