Music Team

Derek Brett 2023

Our Music Team

Derek Brett pictured above during Ashington and district Male voice choir rehearsal March 2017.

After graduating from the London College of Music and the University of Ulster, Derek began his musical career as a trombonist and pianist in HM Band of the Irish Guards.  He has taught music in special schools both in London and the North East and after completing an MA in Cultural Management at the University of Northumbria, had a spell working in venue management in both theatre and cinema.

Derek has always enjoyed accompanying and as well as playing for ADMVC, was the accompanist for Lemington Male Voice Choir in Newcastle (who have sadly disbanded) and has also played for Newcastle Musical Theatre Company, West End Operatic Society, Whitley Bay Operatic Society and numerous instrumental examinations and school concerts and productions.

Our leadership has been taken up by Neil Morton our friend and past leader who has returned to the role of MD to assist the choir in meeting its commitment for the foreseeable future. Neil is no stranger to the choir and brings his musicality, experience together with his unusual wit and charm that makes performances and rehearsals a pleasure.

Northumberland County Hall Council Chamber The choir preparing for a Grand Charity Concert 2018

Neil Morton MD

We have a book in the choir.  A register of choir subs and attendance going back over the years.  I was shocked to see, on a page from a bygone year, my own name appear.  I flicked through and found the tick acknowledging my first rehearsal in 1992 when I was a lad of 14 .

They say time flies when you’re having fun.  As I look back over my time with the choir, spread out over the last three decades, some sitting with the bass section, some behind the piano and several standing at the front, I see what they mean.  A proud history of local service and comradery, hundreds of concerts and fun filled Thursday nights sharing the love of song.

Neil Morton Musical Director 2023