Who's who - Music Director
Kevin Ashman (September 2016 onwards)
Kevin is a very well respected Kent based musician, best known as a superb Trumpeter. A prize winner at the Trinity College of Music, his principal study was trumpet with singing and conducting as his joint second studies. He has over twenty years' experience as a choral conductor and has been music director for the Maidstone Salvation Army Band for the last three years. This is a very exciting new chapter for us and we look forward with great anticipation to the next season commencing 13th September 2016.
Kevin is a very well respected Kent based musician, best known as a superb Trumpeter. A prize winner at the Trinity College of Music, his principal study was trumpet with singing and conducting as his joint second studies. He has over twenty years' experience as a choral conductor and has been music director for the Maidstone Salvation Army Band for the last three years. This is a very exciting new chapter for us and we look forward with great anticipation to the next season commencing 13th September 2016.
Caretaker Roles
From January to June 2016 pending the selection of a new Music Director, caretaker roles we were undertaken as detailed below by Roland Millar, Paul Showell and Dean Waller.
From January to June 2016 pending the selection of a new Music Director, caretaker roles we were undertaken as detailed below by Roland Millar, Paul Showell and Dean Waller.
Dean Waller
Our Summer Concert A NIGHT AT THE OPERA on 25th June 2016 was a collaboration with Matchbox Opera under the direction of Dean Waller.
For information about Matchbox Opera click here.
Our Summer Concert A NIGHT AT THE OPERA on 25th June 2016 was a collaboration with Matchbox Opera under the direction of Dean Waller.
For information about Matchbox Opera click here.
Caretaker role undertaken for our Spring Concert "Baroque Spectacular"
Roland Millar - Rehearsal conductor
Roland Millar is an experienced choral and orchestral conductor and has been music director of the Forest Row Orchestra in East Sussex since 1994.
Roland Millar is an experienced choral and orchestral conductor and has been music director of the Forest Row Orchestra in East Sussex since 1994.
Paul Showell - Concert Conductor for our Easter Concert on Saturday 12th March
As well as working as a freelance conductor, musical director and pianist, Paul was Director of Music at Bennett Memorial, conducting choirs, orchestras and bands whilst being the artistic director of the Bennett Music Academy. Paul also teaches Piano and is a performance coach for pianists, accompanists and musical theatre and performance graduate / post graduate students.
As well as working as a freelance conductor, musical director and pianist, Paul was Director of Music at Bennett Memorial, conducting choirs, orchestras and bands whilst being the artistic director of the Bennett Music Academy. Paul also teaches Piano and is a performance coach for pianists, accompanists and musical theatre and performance graduate / post graduate students.
Former Music Directors 1979-2015
Adrian Pitts (2005 - 2015)
Adrian trained at Bristol University conducting the University Chamber Choir and Orchestra for two years. As a student he regularly worked as Chorusmaster for conductors including Sir David Willcocks and Stephen Cleobury. While he was training to be a music teacher at London University he sang with St Paul’s Cathedral Special Choir and the London Philharmonic Choir under Barry Rose, John Alldis and Richard Cook.
He has taught music in schools for over 30 years, most recently at Tonbridge Grammar School where he was Director of Music for 16 years before retiring in 2019. He enjoys composing, studying under Derek Bourgeois at Bristol, and recent performances include Five Milligan Miniatures by Primary schools in Tonbridge and Hodie, premiered by the Society at Christmas and Wealden Ways for Choir and Orchestra premiered by the Society at Easter.
He has trained youth choirs to take part in the BBC Choir of the Year competitions reaching the national rounds most years since 1998, performing with them in major venues such as the Barbican Centre, Royal Festival Hall, St John’s Smith Square, the Cadogan Hall and most recently at St Paul’s Cathedral in London in front of 2,500 people.
His choirs perform the ‘ripieno’ from Bach St Matthew Passion with the London Bach Choir, which was broadcast on BBC Radio 3. The TGS Motet Choir was one of the finalists in a recent Songs of Praise Choir of the Year competition, as well as winners of the Barnardo’s National Choir Competition in 2013. They were invited to represent England in the prestigious Llangollen International Eisteddfod in summer 2012.
Adrian trained at Bristol University conducting the University Chamber Choir and Orchestra for two years. As a student he regularly worked as Chorusmaster for conductors including Sir David Willcocks and Stephen Cleobury. While he was training to be a music teacher at London University he sang with St Paul’s Cathedral Special Choir and the London Philharmonic Choir under Barry Rose, John Alldis and Richard Cook.
He has taught music in schools for over 30 years, most recently at Tonbridge Grammar School where he was Director of Music for 16 years before retiring in 2019. He enjoys composing, studying under Derek Bourgeois at Bristol, and recent performances include Five Milligan Miniatures by Primary schools in Tonbridge and Hodie, premiered by the Society at Christmas and Wealden Ways for Choir and Orchestra premiered by the Society at Easter.
He has trained youth choirs to take part in the BBC Choir of the Year competitions reaching the national rounds most years since 1998, performing with them in major venues such as the Barbican Centre, Royal Festival Hall, St John’s Smith Square, the Cadogan Hall and most recently at St Paul’s Cathedral in London in front of 2,500 people.
His choirs perform the ‘ripieno’ from Bach St Matthew Passion with the London Bach Choir, which was broadcast on BBC Radio 3. The TGS Motet Choir was one of the finalists in a recent Songs of Praise Choir of the Year competition, as well as winners of the Barnardo’s National Choir Competition in 2013. They were invited to represent England in the prestigious Llangollen International Eisteddfod in summer 2012.
Gareth Stubberfield (September 1997-2005)
Gareth had been Head of Music at Bennett Memorial School for several years when he was approached to take on Paddock Wood Choral Society. As previous assistant director of the University of Durham Choral Society, he was keen to explore the many aspects of the choral repertoire. Starting with the Mozart Requiem and later including concerts of Puccini, Vivaldi, Mozart and Handel. The Choir was able to tackle the choral greats with annual accompaniment from local instrumentalists. Sometimes the choir tried a little too hard. The B Minor Mass by Bach was probably best performed away from the main base in Yalding and stretched all participants to the limits. Also an evening of Taverner and Tavener proved quite a challenge, both in Renaissance polyphony and modern harmony. The Howells Requiem could have suffered a similar fate but somehow came through to be a glorious performance. Perhaps one of the most memorable “Off-Piste” concerts was a summer event accompanied by Bennett Memorial School’s Jazz Band. In terms of concert programming, Gareth’s all-time favourite was an evening based on the Lutheran Hymn Nun Danket, with contributions by Bach, Mendelssohn and Karg-Elert taking central stage. During his time with the choir, Gareth extended his own musical development by taking a conducting course with the Association of British Choral Directors, taking Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle as his focus work.
When stepping down from the PWCS podium, Gareth said he was going to focus on getting more young people to sing serious choral music. The road to this achievement is still in progress but he has certainly not given up!
Gareth has now moved out of the area.
Gareth had been Head of Music at Bennett Memorial School for several years when he was approached to take on Paddock Wood Choral Society. As previous assistant director of the University of Durham Choral Society, he was keen to explore the many aspects of the choral repertoire. Starting with the Mozart Requiem and later including concerts of Puccini, Vivaldi, Mozart and Handel. The Choir was able to tackle the choral greats with annual accompaniment from local instrumentalists. Sometimes the choir tried a little too hard. The B Minor Mass by Bach was probably best performed away from the main base in Yalding and stretched all participants to the limits. Also an evening of Taverner and Tavener proved quite a challenge, both in Renaissance polyphony and modern harmony. The Howells Requiem could have suffered a similar fate but somehow came through to be a glorious performance. Perhaps one of the most memorable “Off-Piste” concerts was a summer event accompanied by Bennett Memorial School’s Jazz Band. In terms of concert programming, Gareth’s all-time favourite was an evening based on the Lutheran Hymn Nun Danket, with contributions by Bach, Mendelssohn and Karg-Elert taking central stage. During his time with the choir, Gareth extended his own musical development by taking a conducting course with the Association of British Choral Directors, taking Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle as his focus work.
When stepping down from the PWCS podium, Gareth said he was going to focus on getting more young people to sing serious choral music. The road to this achievement is still in progress but he has certainly not given up!
Gareth has now moved out of the area.
Tony Starr (September 1995-March 1997)
Tony Starr took over as Music Director of Paddock Wood Choral Society from Graham Dibbens in 1995. After retiring as Head of Music at The Skinners' School, Tunbridge Wells in 2002, Tony and his wife have been busy with their four children and six grandchildren. As a church member of St. Andrew's, Paddock Wood, he has dabbled in puppetry as an outreach activity and in drama as a member of the Deanery Players, formed to produce biblical plays. He also plays the organ at St. Andrew's and participates in the church's Music Group. After at least a four decade gap since doing A Level Art at school he has reconnected with watercolour drawing and sketching. He enjoys DIY projects at home and working in the garden and making wine from Kentish hedgerow fruits!
Paul Jeffery (former accompanist) took over a caretaker role from Tony Starr and conducted the Summer concert in June 1997 prior to Gareth Stubberfield’s appointment as Music Director.
Tony Starr took over as Music Director of Paddock Wood Choral Society from Graham Dibbens in 1995. After retiring as Head of Music at The Skinners' School, Tunbridge Wells in 2002, Tony and his wife have been busy with their four children and six grandchildren. As a church member of St. Andrew's, Paddock Wood, he has dabbled in puppetry as an outreach activity and in drama as a member of the Deanery Players, formed to produce biblical plays. He also plays the organ at St. Andrew's and participates in the church's Music Group. After at least a four decade gap since doing A Level Art at school he has reconnected with watercolour drawing and sketching. He enjoys DIY projects at home and working in the garden and making wine from Kentish hedgerow fruits!
Paul Jeffery (former accompanist) took over a caretaker role from Tony Starr and conducted the Summer concert in June 1997 prior to Gareth Stubberfield’s appointment as Music Director.
Graham Dibbens (1979-1995)
When Graham Dibbens became Head of Music at Mascalls School, Paddock Wood in September 1979, his remit included using music to reach out to the community. Paddock Wood Choral Society stemmed from that remit and began in early 1980. The first concert was in March 1980. He was educated at Goldsmiths college London 1960-66 B.Mus. Lgsm, Cert.Ed. From the age of 16 Graham always had a choir to conduct while pursuing his teaching career from 1967 to 2001. He was a peripatetic voice teacher 2001 to 2010. He sang with The Elizabethan Singers 1963 to 1967, and was Director of music at comprehensive schools in Cheltenham 1972 to 1979. He tells us that he was was refused permission to sing with the London Bach Choir reason given “You are too good! Phone this number at the BBC !” Since moving out of the area Graham has been involved with a number of local musical societies and church choirs.
When Graham Dibbens became Head of Music at Mascalls School, Paddock Wood in September 1979, his remit included using music to reach out to the community. Paddock Wood Choral Society stemmed from that remit and began in early 1980. The first concert was in March 1980. He was educated at Goldsmiths college London 1960-66 B.Mus. Lgsm, Cert.Ed. From the age of 16 Graham always had a choir to conduct while pursuing his teaching career from 1967 to 2001. He was a peripatetic voice teacher 2001 to 2010. He sang with The Elizabethan Singers 1963 to 1967, and was Director of music at comprehensive schools in Cheltenham 1972 to 1979. He tells us that he was was refused permission to sing with the London Bach Choir reason given “You are too good! Phone this number at the BBC !” Since moving out of the area Graham has been involved with a number of local musical societies and church choirs.