Sam Chaplin, Our Musical Director
Sam Chaplin studied music at Manchester University and The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He works as a composer, arranger, choir/workshop leader and performer. As a composer and workshop leader, he has worked with The Royal Opera House, The Royal College of Music, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Spitalfields Music. He leads a choir for people whose lives have been affected by homelessness called the Choir With No Name in London. He has led song-writing workshops in schools, with children with special educational needs, adults with disabilities and in prisons.
Sam Chaplin also performs at venues and events internationally as lead singer and trumpeter with his band Jazzbomb, as well as performing as an artist playing songs from his recently released album 'Back into Life'.
"I am excited to be leading Take Note Choir. Take Note is a real social hub - a way of connecting with others, and yourself. I know there's a point in my week where I'm always going to leave energised and full of life."
Jeremy Aknai, Our Accompanist
Jeremy was a pupil at Simon Balle in the 1990s and went on to study music at the University of York and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, specialising in composition. Since then he has worked in sheet music publishing, initially in sales and subsequently in music editing. In a bid to resurrect his pianistic skills and become more involved in local music-making, he began some years ago to accompany choirs in the Hertford area, and in 2014 was delighted to be invited to return to Simon Balle and play for Take Note. He enjoys the many styles of music sung by the choir, and appreciates the commitment of the singers to give their best in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
Tara Bullworthy, Our Coordinator
I started with Take Note in September 2009 hearing about the choir as a parent of the school.
Singing is so uplifting and performing with Take Note is such a joy as the members are a great bunch of singers and so enthusiastic and supportive of the choir. We are led by a wonderful choir master in Miles and the team is complete with Jeremy our accompanying pianist. We are also very fortunate to be part of the school community so having their support is also vital.
Over the years my role has gone from being just an enthusiastic singer to also being an administrator/co ordinator for the choir. I liaise between the choir, Miles the music director and the school ensuring the choirs views are discussed and voiced as well as providing information around term and performance dates and arranging social and singing events outside of the school.
