BIOGRAPHY

Brian is noted for his diversity as a performer: both as an Organist, a Singer, and as a Musical Director.

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He began his musical life as a chorister at a busy parish church in Windsor, where he began to learn piano and organ. His musical studies continued at Royal Holloway, University of London, both as an undergraduate and postgraduate, gaining both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Whilst at Royal Holloway, Brian was both an Organ and Choral Scholar and, for a time, acting Director of Music of the Chapel Choir.

 

For many years he had a multi-faceted career, including holding the posts of Assistant Organist at St David’s Cathedral in Cardiff, and subsequently as a Tenor Lay Clerk At St Albans Cathedral, at the same time as maintaining a busy career as a teacher: teaching both in the classroom and as a peripatetic, and as a freelance musician - directing, performing, composing and singing with various choirs and musical groups, both semi-professional and professional. 

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He is currently Organist and Director of Music at St Mary’s Church in Portsmouth, where he leads the mixed voice choir, alongside a career teaching across the city, as well as helping deliver a successful musical outreach programme at Portsmouth Cathedral. He also helps lead the work of the Music Foundation, a charity in Portsmouth based at St Mary's Church, that supports young people in the parish to have musical education and experiences not readily available to them. 

 

His work as an Accompanist has seen him play with a variety of different choirs and group and in various genres, from working with small chamber choirs to Choral Societies, across all ages and abilities. He has made several performances on both Radio and TV, most notably as accompanist on BBC Songs of Praise, recorded at St. Mary’s. He is currently the accompanist for Fareham Philharmonic Choir, and for Salisbury Community Choir. 

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As an Organist, his work has seen him give recitals across the UK: 

including taking part in the Grassington Festival, giving recitals at Portsmouth Cathedral, and also as part of the regular organ recital series at St Mary's, Portsmouth. Most recently he has done several improvisatory style recitals -  responding musically to artwork through light and sound, and in November of 2022 he took part in a concert under the light of the Museum of the Moon, performing a diverse programme of music inspired by our nearest celestial body. 

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As a Musical Director, he has also worked with a diverse variety of different choirs and musical groups – from acting as Musical Director for shows presented by young people in theatres both in Portsmouth and Winchester; to helping direct the shows for the National Youth Music Camps, based in Milton Keynes. He helped conduct a performance of Fire by David Bruce, as part of the cultural Olympiad in 2012, with Jeremy Backhouse and the Salisbury Community Choir – which was broadcast on Radio 3 that same year.

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His work as a Composer is widespread: with a variety of different works for various different genres, and is frequently performed across the UK and abroad, with many pieces commissioned, composed and performed by cathedral choirs, choral societies, and mixed ability school choirs. His music and style has been described as “sympathetic and approachable, and yet musically interesting and often with a complexity that encourages and enthuses performers of all abilities, often allowing them to realise their potential.” Works extend from simple choral motets, to a full-scale symphonic Requiem. Recent works have included a mass setting written for Portsmouth Cathedral choir, a Te Deum Laudamus, especially commissioned by Peel Cathedral on the Isle of Man for their 40th Anniversary of their consecration; the accompanying Jubilate Deo received its premiere in 2021 at Canterbury Cathedral; and the Fourth Service has become a part of the repertoire at Portsmouth Cathedral. More performances of Brian's works have taken place in 2023, both across the UK and further afield. 

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More information about his compositions can he found on the links above.

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Brian Moles MMus BMus (hons) London FGMS

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