North Devon Choral Society
John Hobbs - Musical Director
John Hobbs has been the conductor of the North Devon Choral Society since 1992, having first picked up
the baton in 1968, when he became conductor of Bude Choral Society, a position he still holds. For twelve years he was conductor of the South Devon Choir and is now honoured to be its President. He is
the organist of both Weare Giffard and Landcross Churches, near Bideford.
John’s singing career began as a Choral Scholar at Cambridge University, after which he combined his life as a dairy farmer with singing a wide range of oratorios and songs, as baritone soloist for many
West Country choral and music societies. In 1987, he joined the Duchy Opera Company based in Truro, for whom he has sung the principal baritone roles in some thirty-six operas. He is also the Artistic Director of
Intimate Opera, with whom he performs throughout the year.
John Hobbs has been the conductor of the North Devon Choral Society since 1992, having first picked up
the baton in 1968, when he became conductor of Bude Choral Society, a position he still holds. For twelve years he was conductor of the South Devon Choir and is now honoured to be its President. He is
the organist of both Weare Giffard and Landcross Churches, near Bideford.
John’s singing career began as a Choral Scholar at Cambridge University, after which he combined his life as a dairy farmer with singing a wide range of oratorios and songs, as baritone soloist for many
West Country choral and music societies. In 1987, he joined the Duchy Opera Company based in Truro, for whom he has sung the principal baritone roles in some thirty-six operas. He is also the Artistic Director of
Intimate Opera, with whom he performs throughout the year.
Lorraine Homewood - Rehearsal Accompanist
Lorraine trained in Academic Studies and Piano at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester and started her professional life as a music teacher and artist manager. She has worked at the Royal Opera and more recently Glyndebourne. After a successful career in finance, Lorraine relocated to North Devon and is enjoying a return to her musical life as a pianist, teacher and accompanist in the South Molton and Barnstaple area.
Our current committee members are:
President: Marion Sankey
Chairman: Janice Godfrey
Musical Director: John Hobbs
Treasurer: John Thompson
Secretary: Margaret Cookson
Librarian: Roger Hardiman
Publicity: Liz Webb
Catering: Sue Nias
Membership: Ingrid Hardiman
Friends: Bridget Kettle
Concert Stage Manager: John Parkhouse
Without portfolio: Alan Bannister
Lorraine trained in Academic Studies and Piano at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester and started her professional life as a music teacher and artist manager. She has worked at the Royal Opera and more recently Glyndebourne. After a successful career in finance, Lorraine relocated to North Devon and is enjoying a return to her musical life as a pianist, teacher and accompanist in the South Molton and Barnstaple area.
Our current committee members are:
President: Marion Sankey
Chairman: Janice Godfrey
Musical Director: John Hobbs
Treasurer: John Thompson
Secretary: Margaret Cookson
Librarian: Roger Hardiman
Publicity: Liz Webb
Catering: Sue Nias
Membership: Ingrid Hardiman
Friends: Bridget Kettle
Concert Stage Manager: John Parkhouse
Without portfolio: Alan Bannister