Deborah has directed choirs and ensembles since her student days. She is currently musical director of the Ghyll Singers ladies choir, Barrow Male Voice Choir, Ulverston Choral Society and Barrow Posh Choir. The differing musical personalities and repertoires of the four choirs give stimulating variety to their MD’s week.
She is firmly grounded in the world of the amateur choir: making music with dedication in the community. With its roots in the Latin word for love, amateur is a most honourable classification - making music for the love of it.
Conductors are often required to step into the breach and provide music to fit the practical needs of an event: a joint final piece for a particular combination of musical resources is a common example. Deborah has enjoyed these challenges, including writing for women’s choir and concert harp (thank you, Mary!), to fit the practical needs of a male voice choir on a boat travelling across Windermere and to mark the 180th year of Ulverston Choral Society… In a word of Kathleen Ferrier: Whattalife!