Trustees & Volunteers

Roger was one of the original Trustees for the Southend Choirs, when Artistic Director of the Southend Music Club from as long ago as 1991.

Ultimately when the club closed its doors, he worked alongside Michael Crabb (the founder of the Southend Boy’s Choir) to form The Birn Trust. It’s aim was to provide Awards and Bursaries for Young Musicians and Singers in the Southend region, including running the Southend Young Musician of the Year Competition.

After several years working on other projects, Roger has now rejoined the ranks to support us as a Trustee, bringing the BIRN TRUST legacy to add to our BURSARY portfolio. As a committed Freemason for over 40 years, he has been instrumental in raising considerable funds for THE MUSIC MAN PROJECT and continues to do so with his broader connections across the UK.

As a professional Toastmaster and Presenter, Roger can often be found compering Concerts etc calling upon his enduring love of Music and Theatre over many years.

Jackie joined the Trust following her daughter’s positive experience as a member of the Girls’ Choir. She is the Chief Executive Officer of SEN Trust Southend. Prior to this Jackie was the Headteacher of The St. Christopher School from September 2007 to July 2022, and Executive Headteacher of SEN Trust Southend from September 2017. Jackie has over 15 years’ experience as a Headteacher in a special school and led The St. Christopher School through academy conversion in 2012 and following this two outstanding Ofsted Inspections. Jackie sings with Southend Choral Society.

Chris first became involved with the Choirs when her daughter joined in 2003. By 2008, she had three children in the Choirs and she began to help out with transport and as a chaperone. Now her children have left the choir, but she is still here!

Chris is a key figure in the operational running of the Choirs throughout the year winning the Jack Petchey Leaders Award in 2021. Chris is the Deputy Headteacher at St George’s Catholic Primary School, Shoeburyness.

Emer has worked in several organisations in Essex with children and young people and currently works at a secondary school in Brentwood. While both of her daughters have been members of the Southend Girls’ Choir, Emer sings with The Fifty choir.

She was previously a member of Southend Vox performing with them extensively in Southend and further afield at venues such as Union Chapel in London and the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin.

Julie's previous employment has been in the health sector. In recent years she worked for the late Sir David Amess MP and now works for Anna Firth, the current MP for Southend West.

Julie has strong links to charity, community and education: she previously served as a Southend Borough councillor and along with Southend Choirs is currently trustee for Prost8, Southend YMCA, Aspirations Southend, Southend Citizens Advice, Music Man Project and Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Fund; Julie is governor for Fairways Primary and Chair of Members for SEN Trust Southend (MAT for special needs schools).

In addition, Julie is a member of the Leigh-on-Sea branch of the Royal British Legion and serves on the committee for Southend’s Mayoral Charity.

Anne was first elected to Southend Council in 2012. Over the years she has held a number of roles, including her current one as Deputy Leader.

Anne has a background in Work & Pensions in the Civil Service and as an advocate for a children’s Speech and Language Charity. Anne trained in Stage and Musical Theatre, consequently she is proud to be the council appointed member to the Southend Choirs as well as taking on the role of trustee.

James Devor studied organ and harpsichord at the Royal College of Music, London, with Margaret Phillips. He subsequently undertook further studies in organ improvisation with Sophie-Veronique Cauchefer-Choplin in London and Paris. He has performed on the BBC and is featured on disc, to critical acclaim. 

He has been Organ Scholar at Brentwood Cathedral and the Jesuit Church at Farm Street, Mayfair, as well as Associate Director of Music at Our Lady and the English Martyrs, Cambridge, and deputy organist at St Paul's Cathedral, London.

James is Head of Music at The Campion School, where he directs the Schola Cantorum, a choir of up to 50 boys who specialise in Latin music for the Church. The Schola have toured Paris and Prague under his tenure, with future plans to tour in Italy.  

Ian joined as a trustee in Q4 2025. His daughter has sung in the Girls' Choir since 2019. Ian has over 40 years' experience in international banking, having worked in multiple global financial centres. He is now permanently back in the UK, working for a Dutch food and agribusiness bank and sings in the bank's choir, performing at staff occasions several times per year.