Michael Hancock

Michael Hancock
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Charles was assistant organist of Carlisle Cathedral for four years from 1995 and, with Michael Hancock, is a Founder Conductor of The Wordsworth Singers, having jointly lead the choir for seven years.
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Michael Hancock

Michael Hancock enjoys a hugely varied musical career.Since graduating from the Northern School of Music in 1972 he has performed all over the UK and in many foreign parts as a pianist, singer and conductor.

mhancock.jpgAs an accompanist and chamber music player he has partnered many eminent musicians such as April Cantelo, Christopher Underwood, Joan Rodgers, Martin Milner, Janet Hilton, Julian Lloyd Webber, Willard White, Laurence Perkins and John Turner.He has served on the staff of the Royal Northern College and Chethams and has performed in many prestigious venues like the Purcell Room, the Wigmore Hall and the London Palladium.Michael has many commercial recordings to his credit, including discs for Hyperion, Pickwick and Campion.He has broadcast for Radios 1, 2, 3 and 4 as well as Classic FM and there have been numerous TV appearances.

Along with Charles Harrison, Michael is a Founder Conductor of the Wordsworth Singers, a post he held for seven years, and he is currently their President.A much sought-after teacher of piano and singing, Michael also finds time to adjudicate Music Festivals and he is an Examiner for the Associated Board.He is a member of the panel that trains new examiners.Examining tours have taken him all over the world and he has just returned from Iceland.Future trips will take him to Malaysia, the Middle East, Turkey, Brunei, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Michael also acts as vocal coach to the choristers of Carlisle Cathedral.In July he will conduct the opening concert in this year's Carlisle International Summer Festival with the Festival Chorus, the Northern Sinfonia and daughter Emma playing the Beethoven Violin Concerto.

The Westmorland Orchestra welcomed Michael Hancock as guest conductor for its concert in the Westmorland Hall on Saturday 18 March.
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Michael Hancock gave the players a firm direction and all are to be congratulated in achieving the high standard of music making for which the Westmorland orchestra has become noted.

Conducted by Michael Hancock and accompanied, on the organ, by Charles Harrison, this very talented ensemble gave an evening of music entitled 'Twilight and Evening Star'.
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Their conductor, Michael Hancock, had a flowing style which complemented the singers yet ensured nothing was missed in diction or in ensemble.

The solo contributions of both Fiona Weakley and Ian Wright in all of the above-mentioned works were consistently distinguished, and conductor Michael Hancock gave clear and energetic direction throughout the concert.

Click here to read Michael Hancock's comments on being our guest conductor at the March 2006 concert

MICHAEL HANCOCKconductor 18th March 2006

Our guest conductor for the March concert is well-known both locally and abroad, as pianist, singer, conductor and examiner.Recent performances have included conducting the Carlisle International Festival Chorus and Northern Chamber Orchestra in a performance of Mozart's Requiem, singing the bass arias in Bach's St Matthew Passion and playing the two-piano version of Saint-Saen's Carnival of the Animals.He is delighted to be invited to conduct the Westmorland Orchestra.

HANDING OVER: Michael Hancock (left) and James Grossmith
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The Singers were under the direction of their new conductor, James Grossmith, also director of choral music at the Royal Scottish Academy, who was handed the baton by Michael Hancock.
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Michael Hancock, the founder of The Wordsworth Singers, has found a worthy successor in James Grossmith.

Conductor: Michael Hancock
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Conductor: Michael Hancock

Directed by Michael Hancock
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Negro Spirituals (baritone solo: Michael Hancock)
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Directed by Michael Hancock and Charles Harrison

The Singers' principal musical director Michael Hancock accompanied most sensitively the Faure Madrigal, a very pleasing piece of music.

Each half of the concert contained piano duets played beautifully by Michael Hancock and Charles Harrison.
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They were a credit to Michael Hancock, while Charles Harrison, who conducted the performance, showed that his skill in conducting equals that of his organ playing.