smvc-banner
Musical Personnel
Home
News
History
Concert Diary
Our Staff
Join Us
Patrons
Recordings
Choir Members
Contacts
Damian MD: Damian J. Cunningham
 Sylvia Accompanist: Sylvia Hoare
Damian was born in Oldham and was a pupil of St Anselm's RC High School and the Oldham Music Centre, studying piano, violin and viola. He graduated from Keele University with a First Class honours degree in Music and Mathematics and was subsequently awarded a scholarship by the British Council to study for an M.Mus. (Musicology) in Opera Studies at Leeds University, during which time he was Musical Director for a production of Mozart's Die Zauberflaute.

He went on to train as a teacher and began his teaching career at St.Mary's RC High School, Leigh and was soon appointed Head of Music. During his time in this position Damian was Musical Director for many award winning productions, including a production of Ruddigore, which was awarded 'the outstanding production' prize at the National Student Drama Festival, a production which later transferred to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Damian was also Musical Director for a production of the Gondoliers, which was awarded the runner-up prize for best production in the First International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival. He has had a number of successes with school choirs including reaching the finals of the National Festival of Music for Youth in both London and Manchester.

Damian became Musical Director of Saddleworth Male Voice Choir in April 1997 and since his appointment, the choir has gone from strength to strength. Under his direction the choir has been awarded several prizes in music festivals throughout the country and Damian himself has been presented with the Musical Director's Trophy at the Biddulph Music Festival in both 1999 and 2001.


 Sylvia studied piano at the Berkshire Conservatoire of Music, Reading, where she gained her L.R.A.M. teaching Diploma. Soon after coming to live in Saddleworth, she joined Saddleworth Musical Society and has been their principal accompanist for 40 years. She concurrently accompanied Oldham Choral Society for ten years and has been the choirs main accompanist since 1997.

Assistant Accompanist: Scott Woolfenden
  Scott Woolfenden – Assistant accompanist Scott joined SMVC in March 2006 as Assistant Accompanist. He is a former student of the Royal Northern College of Music Junior School, where he studied Piano, Trumpet, Composition and Harmony. He continued his studies as a member of the Royal Marines at the Royal Marines School of Music, and subsequently served as a musician in the Royal Marines Band Service from 2002 to 2005 as both a pianist and cornet player. Scott is an active member of the Salvation Army, and is Principal Accompanist for the Songsters at Oldham Roundthorn.