Music Team
Musical Director
Alison Houlbrooke BA (Hons), Dip. Mus. (Open), Dip. ABRSM (choral directing)
Alison is the first woman to hold the post and, in her nine years in charge, has taken the choir to new heights of musical excellence and broadened the choir's repertoire. She won praise from the judges on BBC TV's "Last Choir Standing" for the precision of her conducting.
As a teenager she was Leader of Herefordshire Youth Orchestra and studied at Birmingham Conservatoire. Now a freelance music teacher, her work takes her into schools around the region. She also conducts Ludlow New Voices, an 80-strong youth choir, and sings with the international chamber choir "Sine Nomine".
Deputy Director
Inspector David Coulson, who is also the choir's principal baritone soloist.
David trained at the Guildhall School of Music before choosing to make a career in the police, first with the Metropolitan Police Service and later with West Mercia.
Michael Blake has been playing the piano since the age of six. During this time, he has increased in ability as a performer and accompanist.
At the age of ten, Michael took an interest in playing the organ and started lessons at St. George's Roman Catholic Church in Worcester. He is the regular church organist at Holly Mount United Reformed Church in Malvern.
Michael is currently a student and organ scholar at Hereford Sixth Form College, allowing him the opportunity to play evensongs in various cathedrals, most of all, Hereford Cathedral
Michael recently took part in the 'Hereford Performing Arts Festival' and, following his success in winning the piano recital class, was awarded 'Hereford Young Musician of the Year 2011'. Michael hopes to attend a music conservatoire or university and pursue his career as a musician, either performing or accompanying.
