About Laurelin Voices

Laurelin Voices is an Oxford-based chamber choir specialising in classical music for both upper voices and mixed voices, directed by Jamie Powe. Founded in 2021, the choir brings together some of the finest voices from Oxford’s top chapel and chamber choirs, as well as a number of experienced professional singers and musicians. We perform a wide range of upper voice repertoire from medieval to contemporary music. Our performances support and enrich research-driven approaches to underperformed choral music. We have recently been part of research initiatives at the University of Oxford, such as the Oxford Medieval Commentary Network at Christ Church, Oxford.

Research lead: Dr Cosima Gillhammer

Organist: Hannah Towndrow

Hannah is a Cardiff-born conductor, organist and accompanist residing in East Berkshire.

Hannah’s professional career began whilst she was Organ Scholar at Hertford College, Oxford, where she read music. As Organ Scholar, Hannah accompanied the choir in biweekly chapel services and led the choir during concerts and European tours. She now studies in London with Anne Marsden Thomas and is preparing for her ARCO examinations. Appointed in September 2021, Hannah is the Director of Music of St Andrew’s Church, Sonning, where she leads the senior and junior choirs and is responsible for cultivating a new choral foundation programme, which will enrich the music-making within the church and provide opportunities for talented young choral singers in the area. In addition to the Laurelin Voices, Hannah has performed with several other ensembles including the London-based CONVENTional Project and the Arcadian Singers of Oxford. She also enjoys performing as a soloist, a highlight being her performance of Saint-Saëns’ ‘Organ Symphony’ at the BBC Hoddinott Hall in July 2018. Hannah has been awarded scholarships from various renowned institutions including the Royal College of Organists and the Incorporated Association of Organists.

Hannah is an MA choral conducting student at the Royal Academy of Music, where she studies under Patrick Russill and receives tuition from several leading visiting conductors including Paul Brough, David Hill and Eamonn Dougan.  In December 2019, Hannah founded the Oxford-based chamber choir, Antiphon, whose focus is on English music of the 20th Century. Since their founding  in 2019, Hannah has directed numerous successful concerts with the group, featuring works by composers from Handel to Howells. Hannah is also the Alec Robertson Scholar at Westminster Cathedral, where she assists with the direction of professional voices each week.