 John Hamilton, Chairman
Born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1967, my family came to the UK in 1974 to settle, after political unrest in Jamaica. We first settled in Hove, and I grew up in the surrounding areas of Brighton until returning here to study computer science in 1996. I've had a varied work life, with much of that spent in I.T. As far as music goes, my mother was quite musical and actively encouraged me. <more...>
 Chris Cage, Vice Chairman
Chris was born in Margate, Kent, a good half century ago, soon to move to Aldebrugh in Suffolk, (where apparently he could see Benjamin Britten’s house by standing on the toilet seat and peering through the window). In 1960 his parents relocated to Bognor Regis, where he never really grew up. At the age of 11 he won a scholarship to Christ’s Hospital near Horsham, a public school with an amazing musical tradition, including its own music school, which instilled a love of music, involving singing in the school choir and choral society and (eventually), attaining grade VIII piano. <more...>
 Guy Painton
I was born at the tail-end of the sixties, and grew up in a smallish village in Buckinghamshire where I first got involved in acting and dancing. I left a tedious job in computing in my early twenties to travel around Europe before becoming, briefly, a goatherd in Cornwall. I then spent a year teaching English in Seoul, South Korea – probably the craziest place I have ever been, but somewhere I still feel to be my “adopted second country”! <more...>
 Peter Lawson
I was recruited into the chorus on the very day I moved to Brighton in June 2006 and the next day attended my first rehearsal. I was somewhat apprehensive but half expected to hide myself away among a hundred or so men kicking their legs to 'New York, New York'. Instead I was greeted by about a dozen very earnest people trying to sort out harmony in an Ivor Novello number. <more...>
 Al Roald Hughes
Al has live in Brighton since 2005 and grew up in Derbyshire where his family still live. He previously lived in East Sussex in 1990 when he worked for a time as a flight attendant. Al is an award winning designer who studied at The London Institute where he attained a First Degree in Fashion specialising in tailoring and leatherwear. He is not new to singing and has previously been vocalist with pop bands World Nation, Hideal and The Two Amigo’s and had some minor chart success in 2001. <more...>
 Derry Maher: (the ‘h’ is silent)
The surname comes from Ireland and is linked to the famous Irish Republican Thomas Francis Meagher. Now you have to be Irish to understand that Maher and Meagher are pronounced the same way! August 1942, born illegitimately in London, Paddington, actually on platform 8, so I guess it was an emergency. Then taken to the nearby St Mary’s hospital. <more...>
 Mark Hyndman
Mark Hyndman - I'm a Yorkshire exiled, sport crazy, haute couture mad, doting boyfriend of Thomas! I also have an inherent passion for travelling the globe, warbling in the shower, I find breathing an asset and aspire to have a voice half as gifted as my musically talented dad! <more...>
 Gerry McCrudden
I am a former Diplomat. Grew up in Belfast but left there at a tender age. I have spent most of my life working at our Embassies abroad. Have worked or visited most of the major conflict zones over last 30 years ; Viet Nam, Bosnia, Kosovo, Somalia ,Sudan,Kashmir and Iraq as well as Belfast too of course. I now reside in the comparative comforts of Hove. <more...>
 David Lilly
David was born in 1961 into what was a rather artistic family. Though neither of his parents either sang or performed on stage they were both very artistic and painted in both oils and watercolours. David’s father side of the family had been engineers, painters and jewellers, the most noted of which was the man who drew Winnie and Pooh; David’s great-uncle EH Sheppard. <more...>
 Colin B
Grew up in Yorkshire. Suppressed being gay was into music from early age. Taught self to play piano and church organ after a few lessons. Was in choirs as a child. Moved to south coast to work with people with physical disabilities and got very involved in Evangelical church for many years which continued to suppress sexuality. During time played keyboards for various events. <more...>
 Ian Scott
Hello, I am Ian and I was born in 1944 in Portslade. I spent most of my working life in the Civil Service, (Ministry of Defence) where I reached the grade of executive Officer. On leaving the MOD I worked as warden of a sheltered housing unit in Hove, moving on to a nursing home as carer/cook. I was then asked to join Sussex Clubs for Young People as Admin Officer and I stayed there until I was made redundant in May 2005. <more...>
 Adam Tubero
Born in London in 72, was adopted at the grand old age of 2 weeks old. Grew up in North London, Palmers Green. Was quite badly bullied as a kid due to my ADD and also my dyslexia. Was taken out of school age 13. Had various jobs - started as a pizza delivery boy, then moved into the pub trade. Owned a pub in Brighton for a while. <more...>
 Geogre Sebastian Wood
George’s interest in music began whilst playing 1st clarinet for the Scottish Schools Orchestra over several years. On moving to London he pursued a ten-year career as an international menswear buyer and personal stylist. During this time he also sang lead vocals in a band, frequently performing nationwide. <more...>
 Profile Phil Palmer
I was born and raised in Ealing, home of the Rolling Stones and The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and went to Ealing Mead School before attending a foundation course at Ealing School Of Art. I then studied to become a teacher at Borough Road College but, after teaching practise in local schools, I realised that I didn’t like working with children enough to spend the rest of my life with them and decided to try for my original dream of becoming a Television cameraman. <more...>
Anthony Pritchard
A FAIRY STORY
It was a somewhat rocky path that brought me to and through the doors of St. Andrew’s Church and into the welcoming arms of The Brighton and Hove (actually) Gay Men’s Chorus in June 2008 at the age of 55. <more...>
Michael Blackledge
Michael graduated from The Guildford School of Acting in 1989 and subsequently spent some time in traditional straight and musical theatre. After a long spell ‘resting’, he decided to return to one of his first passions – mime, and further trained at The London Mime Centre, The Circus Space, and with many established and renowned performers and teachers worldwide. <more...>
 Alan Garner
Alan was brought up on the outskirts of Manchester, and left the area to study in Coventry for his degree. This included a year in the fabulous city of Vienna at university there - all paid for by the EU!
After gaining his degree, Alan moved to the dizzy heights of Crawley towards the end of 1996 and worked as cabin crew for a while....... coffee? Tea? <more...>
 Michael Tietz
What was meant to be a brief summer working here in the UK (possibly cause it was that fabulous one, yes, 2003) has by now turned into almost six years. Not bad for someone who grew up in the Namibian desert where winter means perhaps a month of having to wear long sleeves and closed shoes. <more...>
Julius Rost
I was born in Hertfordshire and moved to Brighton in 1996. I'm a singer/songwriter and play piano. I produce music and also work as a stage manager for a local theatre (Iambic Arts). I come from a very creative artistic and slightly exocentric family. I joined the chorus 3 years ago and I'm very proud to be apart of it.
 Dale Fox
I'm 24 and originally from sunny Lancashire. I've lived in Preston for most of my life and attended an all boys Grammar School (which wasn’t as St Trinians-esque as people imagine!) after which I studied A Level Performing Arts, English Literature and German. I lived in Manchester for around 2 years where I met a load of new friends from Brighton who introduced me to the place. I moved down here almost 2 years ago after threatening to for a very long while! I'm very close to my family; I have 3 sisters and a brother and we're all best friends with each other.
 Wolfgang Becker
Wolfgang was born in 1947 and moved to the UK 10 years ago from Germany .
In his profession as a commodity trader and Risk Manager he lived in Frankfurt, Hamburg, New York and London prior to his move to England and travelled the word extensively, before starting to work as a consultant for a large Russian Mining Company. He is now mainly working from his home in Brighton , which he is sharing with his partner Al, a choir member since the Autumn of 2007.
 Patrick Bullock May 1963
Hi I’m one of the 1st Tenors in our Chorus. To start I will say that I’ve been gay as far back as I can remember fighting with my sisters over a blue ball gown in our first infants school, the nuns weren’t impressed. Thank God that was where I left any movement down that road, I never developed the figure, although I was perfectly placed should I have wanted a drag career, as my mother and aunt were top London seamstresses and my father a pattern cutter working for the Emmanuel’s.
Tim Boryer
I am Sussex born and bred, and have lived in the county all my life (apart from three years at Uni in Bournemouth, where I studied Marketing), and consider myself a “country boy” at heart! My early twenties showed sporting promise as I dabbled in rock-climbing, windsurfing, mountain biking and other outdoor sports. (Thanks to my straight best mate!) Then I moved to Brighton and discovered alcohol!
Wayne Durant
Currently working as a Full Time Licensee / Manager in one of the most well known pubs in Brighton, Wayne born in Wolverhampton, was part of the Central Youth Theatre for almost five years and gained a number of certificates in junior acting and also fiming an episode called "its good 'ere innit" part of channel 4's "its our world" series in 1986, before moving to East Sussex when he was approaching his nineteenth birthday, When Wayne does eventually get some time to himself he enjoys listening to music which is why he also D.J’s one night a week in his place of employment.
James Christopher Crane
Age 48
I was born in Barnet Hertfordshire in 1960. I was raised in Edgware Middlesex by foster parents having been placed in care at birth. Left school aged 16 when I left care and entered the catering industry straight from school.
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