Introducing our Musical Team

Andrew Chinnock BMus MA(Music)

Musical Director

Andrew started receiving piano lessons at the age of five and soon stepped in as pianist at his local Sunday School. From there he progressed, being appointed organist at St Theodore’s Church, Kenfig Hill, when he was just twelve years old, simultaneously enjoying residencies at local clubs as a Saturday evening organist. He would also become organist at St James’ Church, Pyle and at St Mary Magdelene, Maudlam.

Under the tutelage of his school music teacher, Alan James, Andrew became a well-known pianist/organist in and around Kenfig Hill. His first foray into the world of choral accompanying was in 1993, when he was appointed accompanist for the Mid Glamorgan Mixed Choir. He would soon become accompanist for Kenfig Hill and District Male Voice Choir, a position he held twice for a total of seventeen years. Andrew also taught piano in Cynffig Comprehensive School and assisted in the music department there. He had also been a school pianist at Afon-y-Felin Primary School. In addition, he also played keyboard in a local ska/reggae band and was a violist in the Mid Glamorgan Youth Orchestra.

Since moving to the Cynon Valley, Andrew has worked with several choirs in the locality. He was accompanist and Musical Director of Côr Meibion Abercynon, and is currently the accompanist for Cwmdare Voices and deputy accompanist and Musical Director of Mountain Ash and District Choral Society. He is also organist at St. Winifred’s Church, Penrhiwceiber.

Andrew has been guest accompanist of The Phoenix Singers on many occasions since the choir was founded and was appointed as their Musical Director in February 2018.

In 2019, Andrew returned to further education and achieved a BMus from Cardiff University where he also conducted the university male choir. He successfully completed his MA in Music in 2022.

Max Joseph BA Hons (Music), QTS

Accompanist

Born in Caerphilly in 1975 into a family of musicians, Max began learning the piano with Lady Barbara Hughes at the age of 7 and quickly progressed through the early grades. At age 11 he also began learning the trumpet with Kim Kelly, a peripatetic teacher with the then Mid Glamorgan Music Service. Max studied the trumpet with Terrence Lax and the piano with Simon Shewring at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff, graduating with a BA(Hons.) degree in Music from the University of Wales in 1996.

Having worked in music education for over 25 years as both a classroom and instrumental teacher, Max is currently Head of Music in Lewis Girls’ School in Ystrad Mynach.

When he’s not busy accompanying choirs, or teaching the next generation of musicians, Max can be seen donning his lederhosen playing the trumpet in Die Heidelberger Boys Bavarian-Style Oompah Band in Oktoberfests the length and breadth of Britain! Max is also a founder member of Coronation Brass and has conducted them in the European Folklore Festival in Bitbu.