Thom Meredith, M.A. (Oxon) Musical Director
Born in Adelaide, South Austraila, Thom was educated at Lawnswood School, Leeds and then Brasenose College, Oxford, where he was awarded an Exhibition for conducting the Chapel Choir (1985-1987). Following a PGCE qualification from the University of Leeds, he taught Music in schools including four years as Head of Music at Colne Valley High School. Thom's career involvement with young people continues in his current post as Principal of Musica Kirklees (formerly Kirklees Music School) forming and directing the Musica Youth Orchestra in 2000 which performs locally, nationally and internationally. The Music School's concerts, involving choirs and many varied instrumental ensembles from throughout Kirklees, have become established over the years as excellent showcases of young musical talent. Thom is also the Musical Director of Colne Valley Male Voice Choir.
Christopher Pulleyn Accompanist
Christopher Pulleyn studied English Literature at the University of York, before spending two years in Japan teaching English and studying piano with Hiroko Ono. He currently studies with Michael Dussek, Head of Accompaniment at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and enjoys a busy life as a Répétiteur and collaborative pianist around the North of England. Chris is currently the Junior Fellow Répétiteur at the Royal Northern College of Music working on the college’s productions of Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmelites, Jonathan Dove’s Mansfield Park, and this season, Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen and Jonathan Dove’s Flight. Christopher recently worked for Opera North as an Education Répétiteur on their many outreach programmes, including the Opera North Youth Choirs. He is pianist-in-residence for Greenhead Sixth Form College, Huddersfield, and Assistant Musical Director for Bradford Festival Choral Society, and helped establish Colne Valley Boys Choir in 2010 with the goal of encouraging more boys around the area to sing. He works regularly with the Huddersfield Choral Society, Leeds Conservatoire, University of Huddersfield and the University of Hull. He recently worked with Simon Halsey and the BBC Proms Youth Choir on their Proms performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and a new commission by Eriks Esenvalds. Christopher is also the Principal Accompanist for the Colne Valley Male Voice Choir.
Christopher Pulleyn studied English Literature at the University of York, before spending two years in Japan teaching English and studying piano with Hiroko Ono. He currently studies with Michael Dussek, Head of Accompaniment at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and enjoys a busy life as a Répétiteur and collaborative pianist around the North of England. Chris is currently the Junior Fellow Répétiteur at the Royal Northern College of Music working on the college’s productions of Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmelites, Jonathan Dove’s Mansfield Park, and this season, Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen and Jonathan Dove’s Flight. Christopher recently worked for Opera North as an Education Répétiteur on their many outreach programmes, including the Opera North Youth Choirs. He is pianist-in-residence for Greenhead Sixth Form College, Huddersfield, and Assistant Musical Director for Bradford Festival Choral Society, and helped establish Colne Valley Boys Choir in 2010 with the goal of encouraging more boys around the area to sing. He works regularly with the Huddersfield Choral Society, Leeds Conservatoire, University of Huddersfield and the University of Hull. He recently worked with Simon Halsey and the BBC Proms Youth Choir on their Proms performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and a new commission by Eriks Esenvalds. Christopher is also the Principal Accompanist for the Colne Valley Male Voice Choir.