From 2011 until 2013, Melanie worked as a freelance organist and choral director at a number of different churches in London and elsewhere in SE England. Other appointments are as below, with links to organ details in the National Pipe Organ Register.
2016-22 Organist St Paul's, Astley Bridge Bolton Lancashire 2016-19 Organist St. Mary's RC Bolton Lancashire 2013-16 Organist & Choir director Episkopi & Akrotiri Military Chapels Limassol Cyprus 1989-2011 Organist & Choir director
Emmanuel Holcombe Lancashire 1980-85 Organist & Choir director St. Mary The Virgin Linton Cambridgeshire 1976-77 Organist & Choir director St. John The Baptist, Upperby Carlisle Cumbria 1976-76 Organist Wigton Road Methodist Church Carlisle Cumbria 1972-74 Organist & Choir director St. Anne's Church, Turton Bolton Lancashire 1970-72 Organist St Thomas Aquinas R. C. Church Darlington Co. Durham
In her youth, she studied as a pupil of Hector C Parr FRCO and reached Associated Board Organ Grade 7 standard. Later studies were continued with Dr Conrad Eden at Durham Cathedral and the Associate Diploma of Trinity College, London was achieved as an organ 'teacher'.
In later years study included residential courses, the occasional 'masterclass/workshop', various day courses and back in the 1990s, two residential courses at the Royal School of Church Music at Addington Palace. Modules of the Foundation Certificate in Church Music Course of the RSCM were successfully comleted with the courses "Psalm Hymns & Spiritual Songs" and "Directing a Choir", the latter being led by Mike Brewer at Huddersfield University.
Other sections of the course successfully completed included the 'Service Accompaniment' module run by Martin How at Hope College, Liverpool and the 'Communications and Management' section run by Derek Froud. Currently not under the guidance of any teacher at present, practise is largely on her generously resourced home instrument.
Melanie retired after 41 years in her primary career in audio and broadcasting. She is a confirmed and practicing member of the Church of England. From 2002 to 2015, she was a Trustee and Membership Secretary of the British Institute of Organ Studies (BIOS) and retains a close involvement with its aims and managing its social media. She is also secretary of the Bolton & District Organists' Association.
Samples of her playing can be found by clicking here to reach her YouTube channel.
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