Just for fun…
What’s your favourite food? Laksa (A rich, fragrant and complex Malaysian spicy coconut noodle dish or soup)
Who would you invite to dinner? I wouldn’t mind inviting George Clarke, so that he could look at the amazing cruck frame of the house we’re living in and help us understand the evolution of this ancient farmhouse, and how the original inhabitants might have used the building (and why they chose this spot - although I think the well in the garden may be a clue).
What/where is on your Bucket List? Longreach, Australia. I didn’t make it there in my 10 years of living in Australia. Airline enthusiasts will know why.
If you hadn’t had a career in music, what other vocation might you have pursued? Air-traffic controller? I’m calm under pressure…
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Tell us about your role as CEO of the Three Choirs Festival. I started as CEO in late October 2024. Given my background in choral music this is a hugely attractive role for me. Along with the Board and Team, we are responsible for the world’s leading and longest running choral music festival. We are celebrating our 300th Festival in 2028 and my role is to ensure Three Choirs can continue for another 300 years.
In the long-term I anticipate that our role as a champion for choral music and singing will become more and more important, particularly given the challenges schools face in delivering quality music education. I can see us delivering more work in schools and in the community where singing can be such a positive and affirming experience. Three Choirs has had amazing relationships with celebrated British composers, and I am very keen that we should be creating opportunities for the next generation of choral composers to create work and build a relationship with our audience.
What’s next? I’d very much like to build on experience gained in Australia of lobbying for the value of music and music education – so UK politicians please be ready. Clearly, I am committed to the future of the Three Choirs Festival. My aspiration is that the festival continues to excel as a beacon for choral music and that the power of choral music will inspire and bring people together long into the future. I might also have a PhD in me somewhere if I can find the time…
The Three Choirs Festival runs from 26 July – 2 August 2025 in and around Hereford Cathedral. For programme and ticket information see
www.3choirs.org
For festival visitors to find places to eat, sleep and explore:
www.eatsleepliveherefordshire.co.uk/3-choirs-festival-in- herefordshire/
LIVE24-SEVEN.COM
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