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Leslie Olive Leslie OliveLeslie Olive, founder and artistic director of The English Arts Chorale and The Music Trust, is a choir trainer, conductor, composer, arranger, educator, and writer on music, as well as a powerful advocate for music. Born in Wales, he grew up in Surrey, studying music at Reigate Grammar School. He studied music at Reading University and conducting at The Royal Academy of Music. As a young teacher he founded and directed one of Kent's most successful youth choirs. 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. Leslie Olive's work with the English Arts Chorale has taken him as conductor to major venues across the country, cathedrals and concert halls alike. He has conducted the English Arts Chorale with the Philharmonia Orchestra, London Mozart Players, the English Chamber Orchestra, and many of the most famous solo artists of the day including |
Jack Brymer, Robert Cohen, Benjamin Luxon, Sheila Armstrong, Willard White, Bonaventura Bottone, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Ian Bostridge and Susan Gritton. 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. He pioneered the Inroad choral courses for beginners, and is also the conductor of The Stowmarket Chorale. And in pursuit of that vision, The Music Trust aims not merely at artistic excellence, but also at sharing the wonders of great music with as many people as possible. When Les is not making music he is usually in a boat or talking about sailing. |