The BMVC Music Team
Derek Trewin - Musical Director
Derek a proud Cornishman from Delabole, studied music at Goldsmiths and is also a Licentiate of Trinity College. He has taught in all levels of schools before becoming a Head Teacher and felt privileged to teach from Nursery age up to A-level students.
Derek plays keyboard and brass instruments and was a member of Appledore Brass Band. He joined the Choir in 1999 and promised to ‘stay for a while’.
During his stay the Choir has moved from strength to strength his popularity with "his boys" reflecting in the numbers having advanced from approximately 30 members when he joined to numbers now approaching 60. He lists his most memorable Choir moments to the visit to Germany in 2006, and having a marvellous time in the Cornish Male Voice Choir Festival in May 2007.
Steve Dyrda - Deputy Musical Director
Steve grew up in Leicester, and started learning the piano accordian at the age of 9. He was loaned an instrument for six weeks to see if he ‘liked the instrument’. He continued to progress with the accordion until taking a break for his engineering apprenticeship.
Steve later joined the Leicester Accordion Orchestra. In 1994 Steve and his family moved to North Devon and he soon joined the Choir.
Steve belongs in the 1st Tenor Section and a few years after joining became Deputy Musical Director. After moving temporarily to London, he rejoined the Choir and was offically appointed Deputy Musical Director.
Steve continued with the accordion and often performs solo items in concerts. In 2003 he formed his own band the Atlantic Accordionaires who have gained great success in competition.
Mike James - Accompanist
Mike started learning the piano at the age of six, and at nine gained a scholarship to the junior department at the Royal College of Music. He was at University in East Anglia followed by music studies at Goldsmiths, London. Mike also studied under Peter Wallfisch.
Mike is now Head of Music at Bideford College in North Devon. He has considerable experience as an accompanist and solo performer and joined the Choir in 2006.
Monica Jolly - Deputy Accompanist
Monica trained at the Royal Academy of Music in London and graduated with GRSM and ARCM. She taught music at Bedford High School for Girls and Torrells Comprehensive in Essex. Whilst in Essex Monica Accompanied the Hockley M.V.C. and the Southend Bach Choir. After moving to Harpenden, she was in charge of music at a local Methodist Church and was Concert Manager for Harpenden Choral Society.
Since moving to North Devon, Monica has accompanied the North Devon Choral Society and is very involved with music at Christ Church in Braunton. Monica agreed to become Deputy Accompanist early in 2007 and has proved to be a very talented musician.