Articles and News

At the age of eight I remember looking at my school teacher and deciding that was what I wanted to be. Soon, teaching became a passion and from early teens a constant throughout my career. A substantial private teaching practice as a teenager led to the study and acquisition of teaching diplomas – initially in […]

  It’s already two months since my final concert with the wonderful Yorkshire Philharmonic Choir. So long in the planning and anticipation, it passed me by in a haze of musical triumph, accolades and goodwill. Too much to take on board then, I am only now beginning to process it all. We go back such

It was during the pandemic that I rediscovered my inner organist – neglected after I started to build a freelance musical career in 1988.  My first loves have always been voice production and choral conducting. Opportunities came through appointments as Director of the York Minster Chapter House Choir, The Bradford Choristers and Yorkshire Chamber Choir

  This Academic year began with an eventful September.  I continued to practise my lockdown organ repertoire alongside some return to normality with teaching, rehearsals and concerts. Additional work came with an invitation to address the  Elgar Society in York on the composer’s works from a conductor’s perspective, and a request to deputise for the

New to Yorkshire and looking to build a freelance music career from scratch, I attended a concert in ’89 given by the Yorkshire Chamber Choir who were advertising for a Musical Director. I always look for potential, willingness to work hard and the vision to push the boundaries. The 28 strong ensemble, dressed in salmon-pink

For decades I have slogged on with a freelance music career, through highs and lows, never thinking for a moment that anyone noticed. But clearly they did! The evidence? A second invitation (within two months) to accept an honorary fellowship in recognition of my track record in church music – this time from the Guild

On opening my post after holiday I was amazed to find – amongst the bills and junk – a letter from the Guild of Church Musicians offering me an honorary Fellowship for  ‘significant musical achievements’. At first I wondered why me? But as I reflected on a musical career spanning nearly six decades, it began

The disruption of choral activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic could have serious consequences in an important part of the arts industry.   It is feared that many singers will just not return to an activity which had been a long-term highlight in their week. However, with vision and a willingness to adapt to different ways

Organ Playing I have been doing regular daily organ practise and enjoying  the progress that this disciplined approach yields.  At first, repertoire that had been very familiar 30 years ago seemed unplayable, but my feet and fingers have been beaten into submission and ‘the little grey cells’ activated to achieve the necessary command to really