Ian Miles
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Ian has 40 years' experience as a school, parish and community musician: he currently directs a small parish choir and two community choirs, and accompanies two others; he is a former Musical Director of the Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir, holder of the Archbishops' Certificate of the Guild of Church Musicians, and active local Friend of the English Music Festival.
He has played in cathedrals, in Oxford Town Hall and at the Sheldonian Theatre ~ including, on one occasion, for royalty ~ and conducted combined choirs in the presence of the Archbishop of Canterbury. In 2014 he made a recital debut in New Zealand, has since conducted his two come-&-sing 'Messiah's, and is directing a sixth season of Parish Proms at All Saints', Sutton Courtenay in the summer of 2015.
A sensitive pianist in many styles, he reads fluently and can accompany and enlighten an occasion when no organ is available; he also has a professional quality stage-piano for engagements at any venue with no instrument at all.
GEOGRAPHICAL AVAILABILITY
Preferably within a broad pentagon around Oxford and Abingdon, as defined by a notional line linking the 5 W's : Wantage, Witney, Woodstock, Wheatley, Wallingford ... but ever willing to travel further afield in an interesting cause!
AVAILABILITY DURING THE WEEK
Weekdays by arrangement until 3:30, though exceptions may be possible; can also cover Saturday weddings when not contractually obliged to the home parish.
OTHER INFORMATION
Available for accompaniment, rehearsal and coaching in foreign-language lyrics (phonetics and phrasing: French, German, Italian, Latin). Ian has been resident compiler of specialist cryptic crosswords to the respected international quarterly 'Organists' Review' for 20 years, and has broad and detailed cultural awareness as a liturgical musician (e.g. what repertoire to suggest for a Crown Forces funeral with bugler/s). If such a range of experience appeals on its merits in the context of your requirements, please do not hesitate to make contact for an initial non-committal discussion!