Music Director and Featured Composers

Julia brings a wonderful sense of discovery and joy to Bra-vissima, the ladies’ choir she founded in 2007. She champions a wide range of composers—including women and local musicians—shining a light on voices that deserve to be heard more widely. Alongside well-loved repertoire, she has nurtured emerging talent and introduced the choir to music full of freshness, colour, and character.

Clare has started composing for voices recently, with psalms for Bra-vissima’s cathedral engagements. The concert on the 8th March included a secular piece about fairies inspired by Isabella, the ballet-dancing daughter of one of the sopranos.

Having been a PE and Music teacher for 34 years, Jane took early retirement in 2004 to give herself more time to enjoy the things she loved most – music and sport.

Alongside horse-riding, walking, cycling and skiing (when knees allowed!), Jane’s love of music grew.  A proficient musician (playing the violin, piano, flute and guitar) Jane added another instrument to her bow – the cello!  Already a long-standing member of Hutton & Shenfield Choral Society, Jane joined Bra-vissima in its early years and loves it.  This is where her interest in composition grew and she has written many pieces for the choir.

“Some of my favourite melodies evolved as I drove up and down the motorway when visiting my late father.  In 2019, I wrote ‘Ave Maria’, wanting to explore close harmonies to enrich the words of the prayer to Mary.”

“ Mary’s Magnificat is not only a profound expression of love and joy, but also one of tenderness and humility. In my writing, I sought to capture the spirit of a gentle young woman embodying these qualities. Around that same time, my daughter Catherine asked if I would compose something for her to sing, and it felt like the perfect opportunity to bring those inspirations together.”

Sue has delighted in her connections with Bra-vissima for 20 years.  Before moving away from Brentwood in 2021 she sang with and wrote for the choir regularly.  This Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis was written for performance in Exeter Cathedral.  Sue loves writing liturgical settings and is particularly moved by the deep simplicity of the
Nunc Dimittis