Previous Musical Directors

Wendy Wooldridge 1977-1978

Richard Aldridge 1979-1996

James Pearson 1996-2000

Sarah Boyer 2000-2001

Peter Gunstone 2001-2005

Born in London, and educated in Somerset and at Cambridge University, John Powell has spent much of his life in Manchester. His musical activities have always centred on choirs and singers and he devotes his time to conducting, singing and teaching. Until 1988 he was Head of Choral Music at Chetham’s School of Music. Subsequently he taught singing at Bolton School and directed the school’s Chamber Choir. He now teaches privately as well as being a tutor with the National Youth Choir. He is also very active as a festival adjudicator.

John was for fifteen years Director of the Bolton Chamber Choir as well as a frequent Guest Conductor with Fleetwood Choral Society. His own chamber choir, the John Powell Singers, is heard regularly on BBC Radio. John also directs choral workshops and conducts Bolton Festival Choir and Bolton University Choir. Recent major projects include a performance of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony at the Bridgewater Hall.

A member of the BBC Northern Singers since 1975, and a founder-member of the Britten Singers, John has sung on Radio, TV and disc, and at the Proms, Aldeburgh and Harrogate Festivals as well as touring extensively abroad. He currently sings with the BBC Daily Service Singers. He performs in recitals and oratorio and particularly enjoys exploring new and unusual repertoire. John has a strong commitment to contemporary music and has been involved, both as singer and conductor, in numerous commissions.

Writing music for choirs is a growing part of John’s musical activities – several of his folksong arrangements for chamber choirs have recently been published.