MELLOR CHURCH CHOIR
Mellor Church Choir consists of about 30 members of all ages, male and female. The choir enhances the worship at St Thomas Church, Mellor on a weekly basis and sings a full choral evensong once a month (Anglican Mass). The choir have toured frequently in the past, mainly in France. During 2007 the choir toured Belgium, performing in various venues including the Church of Our Lady, at the heart of Bruges. Both in the UK and abroad, they have enjoyed the opportunity of singing in many major cathedrals. The choir have also toured the Black Forest region of Germany in 2008 delivering some extremely exciting repertoire, accompanied by an orchestral ensemble. The group were proud to provide music for Mass at Strasbourg Cathedral, the fourth tallest church in the world!

The choir was originally formed in 1968, and maintains a high standard of singing to this day. Their repertoire is generally sacred, but they can also perform light-hearted secular pieces.

BIOGRAPHY: JOHNATHAN LO

Jonathan Lo recently graduated from St Peter’s College, University of Oxford, where he held the Paul Geddes’ Senior Organ Scholarship, directing the Chapel Choir in twice-weekly services, on tours and in concerts.  Born in 1987, he began his musical career on the piano at the age of 4, and subsequently took up the horn and the organ. At Bedford School, where he was a music scholar, he conducted several premieres of works by student composers, the brass ensemble and the symphonic band, performing at occasions such as the opening of the new music school, which was attended by Sir Peter Maxwell-Davies and Paul Patterson. While he was at Bedford, Jonathan founded Bel Canto, an a cappella group which performed nationally to great acclaim, and also directed the Chapel Choir in school services.

At Oxford University, Jonathan was extremely active as a conductor.  He participated in conducting masterclasses with Peter Stark, Paul Spicer and Ralph Allwood.  As an orchestral conductor Jonathan was appointed music director of the Oxford University Philharmonia after winning the University’s conducting competition, making his debut in the Sheldonian Theatre in 2007. Since then he has performed symphonies by Brahms, Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff, as well as a complete Beethoven symphony cycle with the orchestra. He also organised and directed a series of concerto concerts at St Peter’s College, working with the University’s leading soloists.. Jonathan also has a keen interest in the Wind Orchestra repertoire, founding the Oxford Symphonic Band in 2006, and was subsequently offered the post of conductor of the Oxford University Wind Orchestra, performing a wide array of works by composers such as Alfred Reed, Whitacre, Bernstein and Adam Gorb. As a choral conductor, Jonathan studied with Paul Spicer, and was musical director of the Oxford University Chorus, with highlights including Mozart’s Requiem and Haydn’s Creation. Jonathan made his operatic conducting debut in 2008 with a production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, which was followed by Cosi fan Tutte in 2009 by the same company. In doing so Jonathan was able to work with members from the Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal and Only Men Aloud. Away from the University Jonathan has guest conducted the Choirs of the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, the orchestra and chorus of the Oxford Brookes University, as well as working with the choir of All Saints’ Church, Headington.

Jonathan was offered a major entrance award to study for a Master in Music degree in conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music in 2009, where he is currently under the tutelage of Clark Rundell and Mark Heron. Since moving to Manchester, Jonathan has swiftly begun working with orchestras in the northwest of England such as the Liverpool Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and the Stockport Symphony Orchestra, as well as working with orchestras and ensembles at the RNCM. Also very active in contemporary, Jonathan recently gave premiers of works by student composers with the RNCM Brand New Orchestra, as well as making a sample recording of Edward Gregson's new work written for the BBC Philharmonic. In addition, he has taken part in master classes with visiting conductors to the area such as Sian Edwards, Tim Reynish and Tecwyn Evans, as well as regularly observing Sir Mark Elder and Giandrea Noseda. Future engagements include returning to the Liverpool Youth Philharmonic, the RNCM Concert orchestra and working as continuo on the college’s production of Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito with Garry Walker. Outside college, Jonathan is Director of Music of St Thomas' Church, Mellor, directing the renowned choir. He has also taken an interest in the unique Brass Band culture of the northwest and is music director of Besses o’th’Barn, and will appear with them in concerts and contests in 2010.

Jonathan Lo
Royal Northern College of Music
BA (Hons), Oxon.

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History

MELLOR CHOIR - NEW MUSICAL DIRECTOR APPOINTED

After five very successful years under the control and tutelage of Marc Hall, work commitments at a University in South Wales have meant that he has had to relinquish his position as Director of Music for Mellor Church.  We were all very sad to see him leave, but wish him well in his future musical career, and we thank him for all his achievements during his residence.

We have been very fortunate to secure the services of another talented musician to succeed Marc in this very important position.  Johnathan Lo will be conducting and directing the musical life of Mellor Church for the foreseeable future, and we look forward to the fruits of his work in that regard.

Below is a biography of Johnathan’s musical career to date to which, of course, he will be able to add details of his future successes at Mellor.