
Meet the Team
Port Isaac Chorale was started in 1993 by Janet Townsend, MBE.

Musical Director
Janet Townsend, MBE
Janet taught Music at Wadebridge School for the majority of her professional career, establishing the chamber choir and directing numerous musical performances. When Janet couldn’t find a choir to join herself, she re-establishing a choral tradition in Port Isaac which had died out in the 1930s. The Port Isaac Singers went on to establish a reputation for excellence countywide and nationally. She then founded the Chorale to satisfy her need to direct an adult mixed choir in the village..
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Janet also founded the Choral Society in Wadebridge, and became the Musical Director of 'Stage - a -Chord', performing everything from Gilbert and Sullivan to MyFair Lady. Now, in retirement, she teaches piano and singing ,
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Janet is president of the Wadebridge Festival of Music and Speech. She was awarded her MBE in 2010 for services to Music and the community of Port Isaac.

Accompanist
Jo Norton, LTCL
Jo began playing the piano aged 6 in Exeter, inspired by her teacher, Irene Reed. As a child took part in local music festivals in Exeter and Torbay and performed concertos with Devon Youth Orchestra. Playing with other musicians has always been important to Jo and by the age of 16, she was accompanying fellow students for their Conservatoire entrance exams. However, Jo decided to pursue a career in IT not music, working at ITN news in London for many years. Following a long illness she returned to music, studying piano with Kenneth van Barthold at the City Lit in London.
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Jo moved to Cornwall in 2002 and now works as a piano teacher with pupils of all ages. As well as accompanying Port Isaac Chorale.
Jo accompanies students for music exams and public performance.

The Choir!
Port Isaac Chorale - the Team!
Together, we represent the Chorale 'team'. It is through our collective commitment and enthusiasm to sharing music and friendship that. we come together to sing and perform.
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We all relish the opportunity to preserve the Cornish heritage and enjoy opportunities to sing Cornish music and carols alongside a whole variety of pieces from many musical traditions.
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