Mel is a cathedral trained and diploma holding freelance organist & choir director now retired from her professional career but continues in service and concert playing. She returned to N W England in Spring 2016 after working overseas for some years and until Autumn 2022 was organist of St Paul's, Astley Bridge, Bolton but relinquished that position to be free to undertake playing duties elsewhere around the country. She is available for church and crematorium funeral services in addition to weddings and concerts and other church events.
Although traditional church music is at her core, Melanie can provide a wide repertoire of less conventional 'church' music which can be helpful for funerals in churches where CDs are not encouraged but a family are looking for something specific from the popular and light music domain.
Music can still be provided when there is no organ in working order with Melanie having a compact portable instrument with sufficient amplification to lead a congregation in a medium sized building.
Prior to moving overseas, Melanie played under her maiden name of Harrison mostly in the London and home counties area. For over 22 years from 1989 she was music director of Emmanuel Church, Holcombe, Lancashire.
From 2011 until 2013, Melanie worked as a freelance organist and choral director at a number of different churches in London and elsewhere in SE England.
For most of her three years living in Cyprus, Melanie was organist (and when necessary, choir director) in the military chapels of RAF Akrotiri and the Episkopi Army Garrison as well as playing at times in St Barnabas, Limassol.
Mel was honoured to be the first recitalist to play on the newly restored pipe organ of Our Lady of Graces in Larnaca, an instrument her engineering skills helped restore to life. Her training, present and previous positions are detailed here.
Samples of her playing can be found among many other of her video creations by clicking here to reach her YouTube channel.
More information and latest news is also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Mel.Plumley/
P H Music
Ramsbottom, UK
UK tel: +44 (0)7799 621954
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