Musical Director
On 29th May
2009 we
welcomed Nicholas Hewlett as our new permanent Musical Director.
Nicholas is introducing us to a number of different types of music, among them sprituals, contemporary pieces, and Bob Chilcott's Little Jazz Mass. We are looking forward to our next concert in April of this year.
This is a short résumé of Nicholas's musical experience:
Early interest in the piano was met by lessons with a local teacher, and then at school. Organ lessons followed, and then, whilst the organist and choirmaster was recovering from an operation, a longish stand-in for the parish at the age of sixteen. On leaving school to read music at university, another post was obtained but the university work took precedence, and so choral singing experience was acquired in a number of situations. Interest in singing grew during teacher training; an evening class choir and occasional conducting of rehearsals and concerts for a choral society gave scope for new developments. A period freelance as a musician in the London area gave rise to work with solo singers and choirs as an accompanist and included coaching of singers. On return to full time teaching singing development was a priority and several large groups of children (and a number of adults!) were brought on. Circumstances changed, and another choral society was conducted, most enjoyably. Following a long period of teaching in schools and continuing membership of the Association of British Choral Directors, an enjoyable partnership with the Grassington Singers has been entered. The choir’s experience and depth of singing knowledge are rewarding. The next concert, to include some newer choral music, is October 3rd 2009 in Grassington Methodist Chapel.
Prior
to Nicholas, we
were very lucky to secure the services of Tim Knight until the end
of last April.
Tim is an enthusiastic and dynamic conductor, as sure as eggs are eggs - current members will understand what is meant by this!!
Now that we have performed our concert with Tim, we have said goodbye to him, but we think we may not have seen the last of him............
More information about Tim can be found here