Director OF MUSIC
Rob Elliott joined us as our Director of Music in September 2017. Rob grew up in South Wales as part of a musical family. He conducted the Massed Male Choirs at the Welsh National Eisteddfod at the age of only 21, and the English National Symphony Orchestra at the Wiltshire Music Festival in 1999. Rob is a former Trombonist of the Band of the 3rd Battalion Royal Regiment of Wales, and former Music Director of four Male Choirs in England and Wales.
He was Founder and Music Director of Britain’s most successful Male Choir of the 21st Century – Wessex Male Choir, who went on to win over 20 prizes in Competition over his 12 year tenure, until his retirement in 2013.
He has adjudicated at many festivals and competitions, including The National Choral Festival in Ireland, Isle of Man Festival of Choirs, Bangor International Choral Festival in Northern Ireland, The Cornwall International Male Choral Competition, The North Wales Choral Festival, Barnardo’s National School Choir Competition at The Barbican and Royal Festival Hall in London, Mid Somerset Festival in Bath, National Prep School Choir Competition at Cadogan Hall London, and the Manchester Amateur Choral Competition at the Royal Northern College of Music. Rob was also Festival Director of the World’s largest Male Choir Festival (over 60 Male Choirs taking part!), which is held in Cornwall, and also continues to expand on his choral workshops, adjudicating and Choir coaching roles.
Outside of music, he has been a keen Cyclist and Tennis player but, sadly, due to problems with his hands has had to retire from this. However, he is an ardent Welsh Rugby fan and still enjoys the odd frame of Snooker!
ACCOMPANIST
Jonathan Hedgecock was born and brought up in Basingstoke. He started learning to play the piano when he was six and worked through the graded exams, passing Grade 8 when he was 18. He then embarked on a career in finance within the papermaking industry while keeping up the piano as a hobby.
Having joined the Basingstoke Ladies' Choir as accompanist in December 1982, Jonathan cannot imagine life without it. He has done many arrangements for the choir which, popular with audiences, the ladies enjoy singing. He has been pleased to accompany the choir on their many overseas trips.
It is thanks to the choir that Jonathan met his wife Yvonne, who joined for a few years as a member. He enjoys spending time with Yvonne and their son Matthew, both of whom are great fans of the choir.
