Our MD and accompanist
Our Musical Director - Ray Willis
Clevedon Choral Society were sorry to have to accept Ray's resignation at the beginning of the Spring term. He will stay with us until after our next concert on April 21st (more details of this - see Next Concert page). While wishing Ray well for the future, the Society will now be starting the search for a new Musical Director to start in September 2012.
Born in 1948 and educated at Stationer's Companys' School, London, Ray Willis studied organ at London University. He was appointed Repetiteur and Assistant Conductor to London University Opera, and later Orpheus Opera. His mentors on the light music side were Bobby Pagan and Vic Hammett.
Until recently Director of Music at St Cuthbert's Church, Wells, and senior keyboard tutor with the Somerset County Music Service, he is now Organist at Yeovil Parish Church (St John's) and the Bishop's Chapel, Wells. He conducts the Clevedon Choral Society and the Weston-Super-Mare Choral Society.
Before coming to Somerset he was Director of Music at Trowbridge Parish Church (St James's), Chorus Master to the Bath Georgian Festival Chorus, and directed the Wiltshire-based choir 'Jubilate'.
He has taught at the Blackheath Conservatoire and the Croydon Piano Centre, was organist to the Royal Russell School, and was assistant to Martin How at the Royal School of Church Music. Prior to that he was Organist and Master of the Choristers at Shrewsbury Abbey, Music Director to the Market Drayton Choral Society.
In the field of light music he was a 'house pianist' with Geraldo Orchestras, playing cabaret backings mainly in the London area.
During his career he has conducted most of the standard repertoire, and he is an accomplished organist, accompanist, and continuo player. He has broadcast many times on both TV and radio and has toured as an accompanist in France and Russia as well as being pianist with the Nightingale Trio and one half of the piano duo "Two's Accompany".
His interest in electronics has led to several projects with synthesizers and keyboards as well as technical development and playing appointments with several of the major electronic organ and keyboard companies.
He has three grown up daughters and for much needed relaxation he sails on the Bristol Channel.
Our accompanist - Richard Lennox
Since leaving the Welsh college of Music And Drama Richard is now a freelance Musician working in many fields of music. He was Musical Director for an 8 part T.V. series on HTV in 1998 called Talent Trial.
He has worked on Cruises for P&0, Swan Hellenic, Saga and Cunard playing for Production Shows, Pop, and Jazz Bands. In 1997--2003 he toured with a group of West End Singers to the Middle East, Far East, Dubai, and India taking Corporate Cabaret shows to top Hotels playing Piano and Keyboards.
His Keyboard work includes Beyond the Barricade Touring Show for John Warwick Associates which was followed by a Disney follow up playing first Keyboards. In 2003-4.Pontins and Butlins Summerseasons playing Keys with five piece house Band.
Touring shows include Chicago, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Joseph, Les Mis, and Miss Saigon. Various Musical revues at Theatres including Jermyn Street,Hippodrome and Redgrave Bristol. Recently he has become Musical director for Stage to Screen with singer Richard Beavis,a Musical Theatre show based around Hollywood Musicals.
He has played as a Concerto Soloist on numerous occasions with various Orchestras as venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Royal Concert Hall Glasgow, Bridgewater Hall Manchester, St Davids Hall Cardiff, Birmingham NEC, and Bournemouth International Centre, playing wide ranging Concertos. Also National Trust events as a Soloist include Stourhead open air concerts in 2004.
Broadcasts include Radio 3 and 2 programmes in the Radio 2 young Musician of the year, and a Radio 3 Broadcast with the Suches Quartet. His other freelance work includes playing the Double Bass for Orchestras including Bath Philharmonia, Bristol Concert and other Freelance Ensembles. As a Musical Director he has numerous Shows for Theatre Companies under his belt as well as Arranging and Writing in wide Media. He,s also an Organist equally at home with Classical or Cinema styles doing Recitals, Recordings,and playing for services.
Richard now has a his own web site www.richardlennoxmusic.com