Our Musical Directors

Martin studied music and education at Dartington in South Devon and has taught in schools since 1967. He was assistant Director of Music at Sevenoaks School, Kent before moving to the North East as Director of Music at the Friends school, Great Ayton in 1974. In 1994 he was appointed Director of Music at Seaford College, West Sussex and remain there until his retirement from full time teaching in 2000, when he returned to North Yorkshire.
He has conducted choral and orchestral works and services in distinguished venues throughout the country including the cathedrals of Durham , Chichester , Winchester, Arundel and St Paul’s in London. In 1997 the British Council invited the Seaford College Choir under his direction to tour Ecuador and Colombia.
Martin now works for the North Yorkshire County Music Service teaching the double bass and keyboard. He is a member of the Cleveland Chamber Orchestra and the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra.

Christopher Haigh

Christopher studied music at the University of Exeter where he was the leader of the University Symphony Orchestra and String Quartet. Whilst there, he studied the violin with Colin Sauer, leader of the Dartington String Quartet. After taking a PGCE at the University of Reading he moved to Teesside in 1981, initially to work for the Cleveland Music Service. After thirteen years working as a primary teacher and deputy headteacher in schools in Middlesbrough he now teaches violin and viola and coaches chamber ensembles at Yarm School and Yarm Preparatory School. He also teaches privately.
During his time on Teesside he has played with most of the orchestras and choral societies in the area including the Teesside Symphony Orchestra and Cleveland Chamber Orchestra, both of which he led. He currently leads the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra.
As a conductor, he has enjoyed working with many youth ensembles in the area, encouraging young musicians in their orchestral skills, including the Middlesbrough Youth Orchestra. He was responsible for setting up and coordinating the series of Middlesbrough Youth Proms. He currently conducts the Teesside Symphony Orchestra in their spring concert.