Jill is a former singer and long-serving Board member of Ex Cathedra and is involved in the wellbeing and education work of the company, with a special interest in singing and recovery from stroke and other neurological incidents.

1. How long have you been a member of Ex Cathedra and why did you join?

I have been involved with Ex Cathedra in one way or another since around 1982 when my doctor husband, Bill Robinson, accepted a position in the local GP practice in Sutton Coldfield and we asked one of his colleagues if he knew a good choir in the area.

This colleague recommended a music teacher in the local school and suggested that we get in touch. As fate would have it, when we contacted him through the school, we soon realised that we were talking to Jeffrey Skidmore whom we had met when our academic/choral paths crossed whilst we were students at Oxford.

And that’s when our connection with Jeffrey and Ex Cathedra really began.

2. Have you a highlight from your time in and around Ex Cathedra?

Music making with Jeffrey has always been special but my early introduction to Christmas Music by Candlelight in St Paul’s Church in the Jewellery Quarter has always stood out – both for the music and the magical atmosphere created. Plus, I must admit it was quite a challenge (particularly for the women of the choir) as we processed in semi-darkness around the church, often juggling music and candles and trying to avoid trip hazards on uneven floors and gloomy staircases!

When I look back now through the piles of music; press reviews; letters to and from loyal patrons and audience members which I had accumulated in our loft over the years, I am reminded of so many highlights in what has been a remarkable era of music making under Jeffrey. In particular, I remain amazed at the array of gifted singers and composers whom he has gathered round him over time as well as his passion for research and exploring both new and hitherto little known works. There have been performances in Bruges, France, Ireland, Leipzig, Lourdes, New York, Madrid, Italy. These have all been memorable in their different ways but sadly it is not possible here to mention everyone involved.

Closer to home, however, I wish to congratulate the current generation of singers, players, and researchers associated with Ex Cathedra for creating and performing music of such high quality.

Above all, however, I wish to thank Jeffrey for all the amazingly diverse research work he has undertaken (especially regards the Latin American Baroque repertoire – I just love it!) and the great pleasure he has given to audiences and inspiration to current and future budding musicians.