A talented singer who unexpectedly found herself leading a world-renowned gospel choir has told women ‘don’t take no for an answer’ in pursuit of their dreams.
Mum-of-one Becky Thomas, choir director of the London Community Gospel Choir, is enjoying a career that has led her to working alongside top artists, including Elton John, Tom Jones and Madonna.
As she prepares to perform with the choir at an NSPCC Trailblazers event, she advised young women looking to make their own mark: “Just be exclusively yourself. Stick to your guns. Stick to your dreams.”
Becky, whose journey with the choir started 17 years ago, was planning a career in A&R when she attended the Brighton Institute of Modern Music. But while doing work experience in the LCGC education office, it became clear that she was more suited to being in front of the scenes rather than behind them.
Singing along to music playing in the office, the quality of her voice earned her an audition and she was immediately offered her first gig.
“After that first one, I just kept gigging. I left college in the middle of my second year and I didn’t even graduate. I walked out and carried on gigging. I jumped in the choir wheel and kept on turning.
“But I have no regrets.”
Becky continued to progress with the choir and when it was left without a director, co-founder Bazil Meade approached her.
“One day, before a gig, he said ‘Becky, I’ve noticed when you’re singing you do little things with your hands. You’ve got the director gene’.
“What he didn’t know – and neither did anyone else – was that I’d been directing choirs since I was about 12.”
Despite her initial protests that she was still a newcomer to the choir and didn’t know all the songs, she picked up the baton and has never been allowed to relinquish the position since.
While she continues in the role, Becky is also keen to do more songwriting and doing vocal arrangements for different singers, building on the work she has already done with Emeli Sande, Josh Groban and Calum Scott, among others.
She hopes that her story will encourage other trailblazers to pursue their passion. “Just because one person says ‘no’ doesn’t mean they speak for everybody in the industry. Somebody else will see your spark. Somebody will see your gift and make room for you.”
The London Community Gospel Choir is appearing at the NSPCC’s Trailblazers event at The Oval, on Thursday, September 21. For tickets visit https://trailblazers.nspcc.org.uk/?home_page
