Who's in Charge?

Ian Hooker

Ian Hooker was awarded the Beckwith Foundation Scholarship to the Royal College of Music in 1968 where he studied piano with Kendall Taylor and Celia Arieli, organ with Sydney Campbell and composition with Herbert Howells.

After the death of Sir Malcolm Sargent, Ian was chosen to direct the London Promenaders’ Choir which was formed to launch the Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children.

He graduated in 1971 and became Head of Music at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School where he has been deeply involved in the development of musical education both in school and in a wider context. He built up a fine musical tradition over the years. Under his direction the choirs broadcast on BBC TV, and made records of their work. They were also involved in some very impressive large-scale choral events including a memorable performance of Britten’s War Requiem.

In 1986 Ian took a sabbatical year in order to further his conducting career; he also achieved an MA in Music at the University of York and subsequently spent two years as a part-time Advisory Teacher for Buckinghamshire.

As a conductor, he has a wide experience of the orchestral and choral repertoire. He is currently Musical Director of Buckinghamshire County Youth Orchestra and is in his twenty-fifth year as conductor of Amersham and Chesham Bois Choral Society. He has appeared as conductor many times in this country and abroad. In 1993 he made his BBC Radio 3 début conducting the BBC Concert Orchestra in a programme including Ravel’s song cycle Scheherezade with the soprano Dame Felicity Lott. In 2005, Ian retired from his position as Director of Music at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School and is now spending more time conducting, examining and advising on teaching matters.

His tireless work over the years with young musicians and musical enthusiasts here in Buckinghamshire has earned him the greatest respect and appreciation.

Ian’s photograph can be seen here

 

 

 

Amersham and Chesham Bois Choral Society