Neil Morton The leadership of the choir is proudly guided by Neil Morton, a familiar face, a long-standing friend, and a maestro who returned to the helm in 2018 to steer us into an exciting future.
If you ask Neil about his history with the choir, he’ll likely laugh and point you toward our archives. "We have an old register of choir subs and attendance going back decades,” Neil shares. "I was shocked to find my own name on a page from a bygone year. I flicked through and spotted the tick acknowledging my very first rehearsal back in 1992, when I was a fresh-faced lad of just 14.”
True to form, Neil brings not only exceptional musicianship and decades of experience, but also his trademark wit and charm, ensuring that every performance and Thursday night rehearsal is as filled with laughter as it is with melody. "They say time flies when you’re having fun,”
Neil reflects, looking back over a journey spanning more than thirty years. "Whether I’ve been sitting with the bass section, tickling the ivories behind the piano, or standing proudly at the front with a baton in hand, I’ve learned what that phrase truly means. It’s been a proud history of local service, camaraderie, hundreds of concerts, and countless fun-filled Thursday nights sharing our love of song.”
Our Musical Director, Neil Morton
Neil's musical Journey Rooted in Ashington Born locally in July 1977, Neil’s passion for music sparked early during his primary school days through the recorder and school choir.
A defining childhood memory came at age eight, performing in a joint concert at Coulson Park First School alongside none other than the Ashington & District Male Voice Choir, then under the direction of Ella Hughes.
While his formal training began on the electronic organ, Neil’s musical focus shifted decisively to the piano at age 13 under the guidance of Christine Parish at Ashington High School.
It was here that he met his mentor, Head of Music Derek Hobbs. While Neil was completing his A-Level music studies, Hobbs and Mike Kirkup composed the renowned oratorio Fell ‘em Doon: The Story of the Pit Village of Ashington.
Invited to perform in the Festival Voices Choir, Neil naturally gravitated back to the Ashington & District Male Voice Choir, joining the bass section until heading off to university.
Neil’s academic pursuits further honed his skills in composition and leadership. He earned a BA in Music specializing in composition from University College Scarborough (1995–1998), followed by a Master’s Degree in Composition and Conducting from the University of Newcastle. During his postgraduate studies, he balanced academia with hands-on experience as a music tutor for Northumberland schools and returned once more to the choir, this time as their accompanist.
After qualifying as a classroom teacher, Neil spent many years teaching in North Tyneside, yet his heart and musical home remained firmly in Ashington. Following the retirement of Ella Hughes, Neil was invited to return home as the choir's Musical Director, a poignant, full-circle milestone. Today, Neil works as a self-employed community musician, teaching piano at the Yamaha Music School and pouring his boundless energy and passion into the musical life of our community, keeping the spirit of the Ashington & District Male Voice Choir thriving louder than ever.
Neil Morton at Rehearsal in 2024
Please note that any information you supply will only be used for the intended purpose
Ashington & District Male Voice Choir - A passsionate, friendly male voice choir based in the North East of England
.jpg)
