Leslie Olive
Leslie Olive
Leslie Olive, Music
Director of Stowmarket Chorale, is a choir trainer, conductor, composer,
arranger, educator, and writer on music, as well as a powerful advocate
for music and a maker-of-things-to-happen. He is a member of the
music staff at Colchester Royal Grammar School. Born in Wales, he grew
up in Surrey, studying music at Reigate Grammar School and then Reading
University. As a young teacher he founded and directed one of Kent’s most
successful youth choirs and was offered numerous conducting opportunities.�
Director of Music at Reigate parish Church from 1980, he was later invited
by the BBC to become the first music director of Radio 4’s new-style Daily
Service, where he directed numerous broadcasts and was for four years
a Music Director for BBC Radio’s Worship Department.
At his heart
is a passionate desire to share music with the whole world. For over twenty-five
years he has pursued that vision, through the English Arts Chorale and Reigate
Summer Music, and also by work with children and senior citizens and pioneering
the INROAD choral courses for beginners. He has conducted the
Philharmonia Orchestra, the English
Chamber Orchestra, The London Mozart Players, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
as well as opera with the London Opera Players and Opera Brava.