The Adjudicators
Michael Hancock GNSM LRAM
Michael Hancock enjoys a varied life as a singer, pianist, conductor, teacher, adjudicator and examiner. He graduated from the Northern School of Music in 1972 and served on the staff of the RNCM for the next 17 years, becoming well known as an accompanist and chamber music player.
In the 80s and 90s his career changed direction as his singing and choral conducting developed, along with his work as an adjudicator and examiner. In 1991 he became vocal coach to Carlisle Cathedral Choir. He was a founder director of the Wordsworth Singers, and he is now their president.
Michael is an examiner for ABRSM and is a member of the panel of trainers and moderators. Foreign tours have taken him all over the world, with future work scheduled in China, USA, Canada, Cyprus and Sri Lanka. Michael lives in Carlisle and is married to Eleanor, a Priest in the Church of England.
In the 80s and 90s his career changed direction as his singing and choral conducting developed, along with his work as an adjudicator and examiner. In 1991 he became vocal coach to Carlisle Cathedral Choir. He was a founder director of the Wordsworth Singers, and he is now their president.
Michael is an examiner for ABRSM and is a member of the panel of trainers and moderators. Foreign tours have taken him all over the world, with future work scheduled in China, USA, Canada, Cyprus and Sri Lanka. Michael lives in Carlisle and is married to Eleanor, a Priest in the Church of England.
Christina Thomson, LRAM, ARCM, GRSM, PGCA
Christina Thomson studied horn, piano and singing at the Royal Academy of Music, London, after leaving the National Youth Orchestra. A fascinating career as a horn player in Bavaria, South Germany, followed. She returned to London in 1984 to perform chamber music; she was then soloist with several chamber orchestras, and taught at Harrow, St Benedict's Ealing, and the Purcell School.
In 1991 she returned to her home town of Ripon, North Yorkshire, and over the next 21 years she taught at Sedbergh, Ampleforth College and St Martin's Ampleforth, Queen Mary's School, Cundall Manor, and the Ripon Cathedral Choir School, which her parents founded, as well as having an extensive private practice, encompassing ages 5 to 78!
After she was robbed of her embouchure in an incident in 2000, she retired from professional playing and concentrates on pedagogy. She is internationally in demand as an adjudicator and examines for the ABRSM in Great Britain and abroad. She is also a brass specialist mentor for the Board's professional development course.
She enjoys cycling and high level mountain walking in the Alps as an antidote to the hectic musical life she leads.
Christina is an adjudicator member of the British and International Federation of Festivals.
In 1991 she returned to her home town of Ripon, North Yorkshire, and over the next 21 years she taught at Sedbergh, Ampleforth College and St Martin's Ampleforth, Queen Mary's School, Cundall Manor, and the Ripon Cathedral Choir School, which her parents founded, as well as having an extensive private practice, encompassing ages 5 to 78!
After she was robbed of her embouchure in an incident in 2000, she retired from professional playing and concentrates on pedagogy. She is internationally in demand as an adjudicator and examines for the ABRSM in Great Britain and abroad. She is also a brass specialist mentor for the Board's professional development course.
She enjoys cycling and high level mountain walking in the Alps as an antidote to the hectic musical life she leads.
Christina is an adjudicator member of the British and International Federation of Festivals.
