Twickenham Choral is delighted to announce the appointment of Howard Ionascu as its new Musical Director and Conductor from September 2024.
Howard’s diverse career began as a professional singer in Wells Cathedral Choir, performing on many recordings, broadcasts and international tours. Choral conducting began in 1997 when he founded The Laudate Choir. Howard is also Musical Director of the Exeter Philharmonic Choir.
Past conducting roles have included Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir, Finchley Children’s Music Group Trebles Choir and The Esterhazy Singers of London. Howard is also in regular demand as a guest rehearsal conductor, and in recent years has worked with Choir of the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, Orlando Chamber Choir, City of London Choir, Rodolfus Choir, Guildford Choral Society, Winchester Philharmonic Choir and on Eton Choral Courses. He has directed a number of the leading UK orchestras and ensembles, including Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, London Mozart Players, English Chamber Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, New London Orchestra and Onyx Brass.
Howard has a long association with music education, having led departments at some of the UK’s finest educational establishments and directed the choirs at Winchester College, King’s Canterbury and Junior Royal Academy of Music.
Howard said “I am delighted to have been appointed Twickenham Choral’s new Musical Director, continuing and building upon Christopher Herrick’s long and distinguished tenure. I was struck at audition stage by both the warmth of welcome from the choir and the obvious musicianship on display in all sections. I will look forward to working with the committee as we plan the next exciting stage in the choir’s musical journey”.
Twickenham Choral Chair Helen Coulson said, “Howard impressed us from the outset and working with the choir demonstrated his skill in musicality and interpretation, establishing a great engagement and rapport. His expertise and vision will enhance the choir’s ambitions and passion for singing following the retirement of Christopher Herrick, our conductor of 50 years. The recruitment process delivered an outstanding field of candidates and we are enormously grateful to all those with whom we had the opportunity to sing. This is an exciting time for the choir as we look to continue the challenge that Christopher has brought to the choir. We are thrilled to be working with Howard on our plans for the future”.
Howard Ionascu’s first concert as Musical Director will be a performance of Handel’s Messiah with the Brandenburg Sinfonia on 21st December 2024, at the Landmark Arts Centre, Teddington.
Links: Howard Ionascu
