North Devon Choral Society
John Hobbs - Musical Director
John has played the piano and sung since early school days in his native Warwickshire. Singing became even more central to his career when he was awarded a Choral Exhibition, at the age of 17, to assist his studies at Christ's College, Cambridge.
After settling in North Devon in 1964, he began dairy farming whilst concurrently developing a singing career, which has led him to perform an extensive repertoire of oratorio, lieder and songs with many choral and music societies. A move into Cornwall, in 1968, saw him pick up the baton for the first time and become the Conductor of Bude Choral Society, a post he has held since, apart from a gap of five years when he moved back over the border into Devon in 1981, when he also became organist of Holy Trinity Church, Weare Giffard, near Bideford. His farming career was interrupted by a twenty year term as Director of Music at St Petroc's School, Bude, during which period he joined the Duchy Opera Company in 1987 and became the Conductor of North Devon Choral Society in 1992.
On retiring from his teaching post in 2007, John became the Conductor of South Devon Choir, based in Torbay, and, every three years or so, members of all three choral societies combine to perform a joint summer concert of a major choral work, the most recent being of Verdi's Requiem in 2016.
He has performed a large number of principal baritone, operatic roles and is currently preparing the role of Falstaff in Duchy Opera's forthcoming tour of Nicolai's The Merry Wives of Windsor.
John has played the piano and sung since early school days in his native Warwickshire. Singing became even more central to his career when he was awarded a Choral Exhibition, at the age of 17, to assist his studies at Christ's College, Cambridge.
After settling in North Devon in 1964, he began dairy farming whilst concurrently developing a singing career, which has led him to perform an extensive repertoire of oratorio, lieder and songs with many choral and music societies. A move into Cornwall, in 1968, saw him pick up the baton for the first time and become the Conductor of Bude Choral Society, a post he has held since, apart from a gap of five years when he moved back over the border into Devon in 1981, when he also became organist of Holy Trinity Church, Weare Giffard, near Bideford. His farming career was interrupted by a twenty year term as Director of Music at St Petroc's School, Bude, during which period he joined the Duchy Opera Company in 1987 and became the Conductor of North Devon Choral Society in 1992.
On retiring from his teaching post in 2007, John became the Conductor of South Devon Choir, based in Torbay, and, every three years or so, members of all three choral societies combine to perform a joint summer concert of a major choral work, the most recent being of Verdi's Requiem in 2016.
He has performed a large number of principal baritone, operatic roles and is currently preparing the role of Falstaff in Duchy Opera's forthcoming tour of Nicolai's The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Peter Clarke - Rehearsal Accompanist
Peter Clarke has played the piano almost every day for the majority of his life, and is the holder of a Performance Diploma with Distinction from the ABRSM. He is the rehearsal accompanist for North Devon Choral Society and the Jubilate choir and frequently accompanies at festivals and competitions, as well as performing chamber music and solo recitals throughout the South West. Peter also sings, having appeared as baritone soloist with several local groups including NDCS, Jubilate, Artavian Baroque and West Devon Chorale. He has worked extensively with various youth orchestras and ensembles as an arranger and orchestrator, and has also composed original music for several short films, as well as a number of concert works. Amidst all these activities, he somehow finds time for a day job as a software engineer!
Our current committee members are:
President: Marion Sankey
Chairman: Liz Preece
Musical Director: John Hobbs
Treasurer: John Thompson
Secretary: Margaret Cookson
Librarian: Roger Hardiman
Publicity: Janet Sharp
Catering: Sue Nias
Membership: Ingrid Hardiman
Friends: Jennie Scott
Without portfolio: Alan Bannister
Peter Clarke has played the piano almost every day for the majority of his life, and is the holder of a Performance Diploma with Distinction from the ABRSM. He is the rehearsal accompanist for North Devon Choral Society and the Jubilate choir and frequently accompanies at festivals and competitions, as well as performing chamber music and solo recitals throughout the South West. Peter also sings, having appeared as baritone soloist with several local groups including NDCS, Jubilate, Artavian Baroque and West Devon Chorale. He has worked extensively with various youth orchestras and ensembles as an arranger and orchestrator, and has also composed original music for several short films, as well as a number of concert works. Amidst all these activities, he somehow finds time for a day job as a software engineer!
Our current committee members are:
President: Marion Sankey
Chairman: Liz Preece
Musical Director: John Hobbs
Treasurer: John Thompson
Secretary: Margaret Cookson
Librarian: Roger Hardiman
Publicity: Janet Sharp
Catering: Sue Nias
Membership: Ingrid Hardiman
Friends: Jennie Scott
Without portfolio: Alan Bannister