Neil Provost biography - Cantores OEC 2023

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.Neil Provost - Biography
Neil was involved in music through the amateur theatre at an early age. Starting piano lessons by age nine he progressed to the organ by age fourteen receiving lessons from Derrick Cantrell of Manchester Cathedral.

He took his first parish post at St Mark’s, Dunham just before his sixteenth birthday. At St Ambrose College, Hale Barns he took a strong interest in choral conducting under the tutelage of John Chadwick and Michael English, who later became his organ tutor. Neil has gone on to develop his own unique style and methods in choral training and conducting.

He moved to St John the Divine, Brooklands in 1990 as Director of Music, training and directing a mixed choir. Whilst there, through Neil's training, a number of choristers gained places in cathedral choirs and he brought the choir up to sufficient standard to be invited to sing in Manchester Cathedral for Choral Evensong.

In 2000 Neil moved to Christ Church, Timperley where he forged a musical link between Holy Angels Choir and Christ Church Choir from which he developed Cantores Oecumenica. He is now Musical Director and Principal Conductor for Cantores Oecumenica.

Neil has written the libretto for two works, Via Crucis and Stabat Mater, both with music written by Robert Steadman.  Neil has also written a complete work called 'The Seven Words' which follows the last hours of Jesus on the Cross.

Neil also works full time as a Funeral Director and Business Leader in the South Manchester area.

Follow Neil on Twitter by clicking here
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