john holloway

At Christ Church I was a choral exhibitioner and organist and these two musical disciplines have remained central to my musical career although conducting, both orchestral and choral, has become my main area of performance in recent years. In addition to my choral and orchestral rôle at Wellington, I direct the local choral society and a well regarded chamber choir.

I have composed music mainly for local consumption, for school plays, for the college orchestra, for chapel use, for choirs and for a wide range of solo instruments.

Having served my apprenticeship at Cranleigh my eight years at Cheltenham Grammar School was a period of growth and innovation; although having a full time staff of only two for a school of seven hundred pupils, I was able to expand the number of visiting staff and exploit the musical talents of a number of other staff colleagues to provide an extensive curricular and extra curricular programme. At this time I also lectured for the Bristol University Extra Mural Department, sat on the County Music Adviser’s Committee for curriculum review and founded and directed the county’s youth choir.

While I was at Wellington, I managed growth and change in response to the needs of the school community and oversaw innovation in the context of a well established musical environment.

My primary task was the recruiting and supporting of an outstanding team of musicians and teachers who provided the finest level of musical training in the classroom, studio and rehearsal room.

At the same time the integrating of music into the curriculum and extra curricular life of Wellington became increasingly important that it was truly regarded as a foundation subject and activity and not as an optional extra however beneficial.

My time at Wellington coincided with the introduction of new technologies both administrative and creative which were embraced with enthusiasm leading to a broadening of musical activities and a flowering of composition in many styles.

Our young musicians toured the world giving performances and making friends in all five continents and experiencing places and events never to be forgotten.

In September of 2004, having completed twenty years as Director of Music, I stood down at my own request in favour of my long time assistant Simon Williamson and, at the same time, I scheduled my eventual departure from Wellington for June of 2006. I was elected to be President of Common Room where I was able to work for the benefit of my colleagues and, under Simon’s energetic leadership, I was able to devote myself to a number of musical and educational projects and plan for my leaving. My return to Gloucestershire after 22 years gave me an opportunity to embark on new career opportunities in the ‘Three Choirs’ area.

To my work with Cantores, Upton upon Severn, The Coast and Country Festival and its wider choral weekend programme I have added the task of a Justice of the Peace on the Gloucestershire Bench.