Stephen was appointed as Chorus Master of Belfast Philharmonic Choir in 2011.  He is also conductor of the Lothian based Garleton Singers and Director of Music at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street, Edinburgh. Stephen has studied both choral and orchestral conducting at Dartington and Canford International Summer Schools and was the joint holder of the first Alexander Gibson Memorial Scholarship in Choral Conducting with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Chorus.

As a keyboard player and accompanist Stephen works regularly with the Ulster Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and
Royal Scottish National Orchestra.  He is in demand as an arranger
and orchestrator and his arrangements have been performed by the Ulster Orchestra, the BBC and others including Proms in the Park and the televised launch of BBC Alba.

http://www.stephendoughty.co.uk/

My name is Rebekah Coffey and I would like to introduce myself.  I will be working with the  children at the Phil Kids preparing them for their summer concerts in May and June.  I am really looking forward to working with the children, creating good music and having fun.  Performing is my passion and I have been appearing as a soloist throughout the UK and Ireland since June 2003 and have performed internationally in Australia.  I graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a Bachelor of Music (First Class Hons) and from the Royal Northern College of Music with a Postgraduate Vocal Diploma.  As well as my performances, I teach a number of private pupils.  I returned to live in Northern Ireland in March 2008 with my husband Danny McCann-Williams who is a violinist with the Ulster Orchestra.

The Belfast Philharmonic Choir and the National Boys Choir of Scotland
I have been teaching at the Philharmonic Choir since 2009 when I was approached to join the teaching staff for the adult choir.  This role then developed further as I began to coach and prepare the soloists from the Phil Kids for the Ulster Orchestra’s performances of “The Snowman”.  I have fulfilled this role for the last three years.  In 2010, I began teaching the older children in the Phil Youth Choir in group singing lessons, so I feel that I have a full understanding of the children’s abilities and it is helpful for me that I have already worked with so many of them.
As well as my private teaching, I am also on the teaching staff of the National Boys Choir of Scotland, where I assist Christopher Bell with the treble voices and here in Northern Ireland, I am currently coaching the trebles Thomas Copeland and Joe Zubier who were cast in the role of Miles in Britten’s Opera “The Turn of the Screw” for Northern Ireland Opera.  Previous appointments include Salford University, Manchester.

Phil Kids Concerts
In May, the Phil Youth Choir will be performing John Rutter’s “Mass for the Children” in the Ulster Hall with the Ulster Orchestra, singing alongside the Philharmonic Choir.  I will be the Soprano soloist for this concert and Stephen Doughty will conduct.  The Training Choir and the Children’s Choir will have their own presentation evening in June.

With best wishes
Rebekah Coffey

Gail, a native of Mid-Ulster, graduated from the University of Ulster with a B. Mus. (Hons), having studied piano under Elizabeth Bicker and Stephanie Hughes and organ with Desmond Hunter. Upon completion of a PGCE, Gail began a teaching career and is currently on a career break from the post of Head of Music at the Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt.

As well as teaching piano, Gail has worked extensively as an accompanist and repetiteur, for the University of Ulster Choir, Tosini, Bel Canto School of Singing, NI Opera, the Sperrin Choir and also at Lagan, Hollywood and Ballymena Music Festivals. In addition, Gail has considerable experience training choirs of all ages and abilities.

Having enjoyed a year as Associate Accompanist with Belfast Philharmonic Choir and Phil Kids, under the tutelage and watchful eyes of Stephen Doughty and Christopher Bell, she is delighted to have been appointed in 2011 as official accompanist with both choirs.

Co. Down born Aaron O'Hare has just completed his BMus(Hons) degree at the University of Ulster, Magee Campus, during which he studied as a Baritone under internationally respected Counter Tenor, Mark Chambers, with whom he continues to study. As a young singer, he has worked with leading companies in Northern Ireland, such as NI Opera, North West Opera, and Spark Opera and has appeared in roles such as:

‘Uylsses: A Musical Oydessy’ as Hermes and Telemachus (2009 – Laurence Roman), ‘No Place’, as the Newsreader (2009 – Spark Opera – Zatriqi),  ‘La Boheme’ as Alcindoro (2010 – North West Opera- Puccini), 'Tosca' covering Sciaronne (2011 - NI Opera - Puccini) and 'Carmen' as Dancaïre (2011 - North West Opera - Bizet)

As a keen choral enthusiast, Aaron is a member of the Ulster Youth Choir, Ulster Youth Chamber Choir, University of Ulster Choir, and the Belfast Philharmonic Choir. He has also acted as Assistant Section Coach for the Ulster Youth Training Choir since 2009. Aaron is currently Assistant Conductor to the University of Ulster Choir, under Dr. Shaun Ryan, and the Belfast Philharmonic Youth Choirs, under Val Whitlock.