Pershore Choral Choir Historyp

Musical Director

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The Musical Director of the Society is Carleton Etherington.

The following, dated March 2005, is taken from the website of the Royal College of Organists and was issued when Carleton was elected to the Council of that organisation.

"Carleton Etherington is organist of Tewkesbury Abbey. Educated at Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester and London’s Royal Academy of Music, he studies with Peter Hurford and David Sanger and graduated with BMus from London University. Carleton was organ scholar at St Bride’s Church Fleet Street, before taking up the post of Sub Organist at Leeds Parish Church.

During this time he built up a reputation as one of the leading players of his generation, winning first prize at the 1992 Paisley International Organ Competition and the RCO Performer of the Year in 1993.

He has performed at most of the major venues throughout the UK and further afield in Europe, Australia and America. Carleton has broadcast on BBC radio many times and has several recordings to his credit. He has performed and toured with the CBSO and until recently was accompanist to the CBSO Junior Chorus.

Since moving to Tewkesbury he has involved himself with the local music scene. He is conductor of Cirencester Choral Society, Chairman of the Gloucestershire Organists Association, a member of the Gloucestershire Area RSCM (Royal School of Church Music) committee, an examiner for RSCM and an active teacher, encouraging pupils at all levels."

IAN GERRARD, Accompanist and Assistant Director

Ian was born in 1943 and brought up in Morecambe. Both his father and grandfather were professional pianists and organists. In 1957 he was a gold medallist of the RSM at grade 8 piano and going to Manchester for lessons. He was also learning the organ in the chapel of the Moor Hospital (Lancaster's Victorian Psychiatric Hospital). Declining a scholarship to the RCM in London he continued at school. In 1964 he graduated from Manchester University with a Mus.B (Hons) degree and from the Royal Manchester College of Music with a GRSM degree and ARMCM diplomas in teaching and performance.

After many years of teaching in schools, Ian went freelance and from 1981 to 1993 was Director of Music for the USAF Chaplaincy at RAF Fairford, followed by 10 years at Pershore Abbey. In 1990 he conducted the first performance in the Abbey of Elgar's 'Dream of Gerontius' with Pershore Choral. Forty years on from graduating, Ian still enjoys teaching, playing and conducting.


	The Musical Director of the Society is Carleton Etherington. The following, dated March 2005, is taken from the website of the Royal College of Organists and was issued when Carleton was elected to the Council of that organisation. "Carleton Etherington is organist of Tewkesbury Abbey. Educated at Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester and London’s Royal Academy of Music, he studies with Peter Hurford and David Sanger and graduated with BMus from London University. Carleton was organ scholar at St Bride’s Church Fleet Street, before taking up the post of Sub Organist at Leeds Parish Church. During this time he built up a reputation as one of the leading players of his generation, winning first prize at the 1992 Paisley International Organ Competition and the RCO Performer of the Year in 1993. He has performed at most of the major venues throughout the UK and further afield in Europe, Australia and America. Carleton has broadcast on BBC radio many times and has several recordings to his credit. He has performed and toured with the CBSO and until recently was accompanist to the CBSO Junior Chorus. Since moving to Tewkesbury he has involved himself with the local music scene. He is conductor of Cirencester Choral Society, Chairman of the Gloucestershire Organists Association, a member of the Gloucestershire Area RSCM (Royal School of Church Music) committee, an examiner for RSCM and an active teacher, encouraging pupils at all levels."
	IAN GERRARD, Accompanist and Assistant Director Ian was born in 1943 and brought up in Morecambe. Both his father and grandfather were professional pianists and organists. In 1957 he was a gold medallist of the RSM at grade 8 piano and going to Manchester for lessons. He was also learning the organ in the chapel of the Moor Hospital (Lancaster's Victorian Psychiatric Hospital). Declining a scholarship to the RCM in London he continued at school. In 1964 he graduated from Manchester University with a Mus.B (Hons) degree and from the Royal Manchester College of Music with a GRSM degree and ARMCM diplomas in teaching and performance. After many years of teaching in schools, Ian went freelance and from 1981 to 1993 was Director of Music for the USAF Chaplaincy at RAF Fairford, followed by 10 years at Pershore Abbey. In 1990 he conducted the first performance in the Abbey of Elgar's 'Dream of Gerontius' with Pershore Choral. Forty years on from graduating, Ian still enjoys teaching, playing and conducting.