The Musical Team
Matthew Probert - Musical Director
Matthew was born in Neath, South Wales, and began his Music studies when he took up learning the piano at the age of sixteen. Since then he has gone on to complete both a degree in Music and a Masters in Music Composition at Cardiff University, finishing his education at the end of 2016.
During his undergraduate degree he decided to take up conducting lessons, and from this went on to become a founding member and Musical Director of the Cardiff University Jazz Choir – a role that he had stepped down from in 2015 after two successful years at the helm. Music and composing are of course Matthew's biggest passions, and during his studies would often write for small-scale ensembles with influences drawing from film, video game, pop and jazz genres. He was also part of the Contemporary Music Group at the university, where he performed and conducted many of his own and other students' compositions throughout many concerts.
After completing his studies Matthew took a break from composing in order to explore new areas of interest outside music. He was able to utilise his love of food and home cooking whilst working for Dusty Knuckle Pizza - a small family-run business with amazing people. During this time Matthew's musical interests were kept alive by his work with Barry Ladies Choir where he is constantly learning & progressing in his highly dedicated role.
Matthew has now returned to music with a renewed passion and purpose. A number of new projects and ventures are in the works, including some further piano study, publishing his musical arrangements and teaching some future pianists. His ongoing commitment to the Barry Ladies' Choir continues with a number of exciting opportunities over the coming months and years for further growth and improvement.
Christopher Fossey - Accompanist
Christopher Fossey is a musician and teacher currently based in the Welsh capital of Cardiff, working variously as a freelance composer and arranger, accompanist and musical director. He trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and was the recipient of the 2010 RWCMD Composition Prize.
As composer & arranger, Christopher recently worked with Welsh musician Anthony Reynolds on 'A Small Spit Of Land', a large-scale biographical song cycle which was then performed in April 2013 with string players of Sinfonia Cymru and recorded later that year.
As an accompanist, Christopher is in much demand and regularly plays for rehearsals and classes on the MA Musical Theatre course at RWCMD and was also a rehearsal accompanist for their 2012 production of 'The Mystery Of Edwin Drood'. For the Young Actors Studio at RWCMD he is an Acting Through Song tutor and accompanist. Elsewhere, he is the resident accompanist and co-assistant musical director for the South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus who have performed in numerous venues across South Wales and beyond, including recent participation in the Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival and a guest appearance at London’s Cadogan Hall.
As a musical director and rehearsal accompanist Christopher has also worked with Youth Music Theatre UK, Orbit Theatre Co. and The Unknown Theatre Co. Future projects include musical director for 'When You Say Goodbye', a new musical based on the songs of Harry Parr Davies and Marguerite Monnot.
