Gerard aims to hit right note

NEW Director of Music Gerard Booth is ready to pick up the baton at the Music Centre.

A NEW year will herald the start of a new era for Oldham Music Service.

Following the retirement of Dr Eileen Bentley MBE in July, the service has appointed Gerard Booth as its new Director of Music.

Mr Booth (40) takes up his post on January 4 after a long and successful association with music in the borough.

Born and bred in Blackburn, he first joined Oldham Music Service as a brass instructor back in 1993 and after qualifying as a teacher two years later, became coordinator for Orchestral Brass in 1999.

Since 2001, Mr Booth has been head of the orchestral wind department, leading many projects and trips, most notably a tour of New York by more than 80 students in 2008.

He is also well known as the conductor of Oldham Youth Orchestra.

He is taking on the mantle from Dr Bentley, who retired after 30 years working to inspire generations of young musicians.

The service has given thousands of local children instrumental and vocal tuition for more than 40 years.

Mr Booth aims to make the service an even better provider of quality musical education to Oldham’s young people, offering opportunities and experiences to all communities while maintaining standards of excellence.

Plans are already in place to offer opportunities to adults and pre-school children in the future.

Mr Booth said: “Eileen Bentley has been a great leader for the Music Service throughout my entire teaching career and I feel privileged to have been appointed as her successor.

“I fully intend to continue the fine traditions that she maintained throughout her career, while also extending the scope and range of all that the Music Service does to contribute to the educational and cultural life of Oldham”.

Mr Booth is married to Tracey Hartnell-Booth, an oboist who also teaches at the Oldham Music Centre.

His three children, Aaron, Benjamin and Anastasia also play in various groups at the Music Centre.

Councillor Kay Knox, cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families, welcomed Mr Booth into his new role.

She said: “He certainly knows he has a hard act to follow, but we are very confident – especially given his long-standing commitment to music in the area – that he is the right man for the job and that he will continue to maintain the very high standards that the Music Service set themselves.”