Musical Directors

Musical Director – Jill Henderson-Wild (2006-present)

Originally from Oldham, Jill studied cello with Joan Dickson, a professor at the Royal College of Music, before becoming a Choral Scholar at Girton College, Cambridge, where she read music. After graduation, she won a two-year scholarship from the Swiss Government to study choral and orchestral conducting with Michel Corboz and Arpad Gerecz at the Conservatoire of Geneva and was awarded ‘Le Prix du Conseil de l’Etat’ with her diploma.

Following this, she went to Lisbon as Chorus Master to the Gulbenkian Foundation Choir and then worked as Development Officer, and subsequently Music Director for the National Choral Organisation, ‘Sing for Pleasure’ until 2001. She continued as Head of Conductor Training for SfP for several years, tutoring at events for both adults and children organised by them and by other choral organisations, in Britain and abroad.

Jill previously was Chorus Master to the Leeds Philharmonic Society and worked as the Vocal Animateur for Stockport LEA for many years, supporting and promoting singing within all the borough’s schools. As well as being in demand as a Civil Funeral Celebrant, she continues to undertake freelance conducting engagements and workshops as well as delivering vocal projects and INSET courses for teachers in the North West, particularly for the music services in Trafford and St Helens.

Assistant Musical Director – Dave Robinson (2003-present)

Dave began learning the piano at an early age and is a lifelong enthusiastic choral singer. In his teenage years he broadened his music-making to include the clarinet and orchestral playing, at the same time discovering the joy of singing in choirs both large and small.

Dave was subsequently a member of the renowned Huddersfield Choral Society for 23 years, performing a huge range of choral works in concert halls across the country, and since 2003 has had the pleasure and privilege of accompanying, singing with and occasionally conducting Manchester Chorale as Assistant Musical Director.

Dave is also a music therapist with specialist music charity Nordoff and Robbins, the largest independent music therapy charity in the UK. He has worked in dementia care settings, neuro-rehabilitation centres and schools for children with additional needs, and believes strongly in the potential of active music-making to bring joy, promote health and connect people together.