Musical Director - Mr Ken Hone

Ken Hone has been involved with music for many years and in the Luton area for more than 50 years. He was born in Swansea and played his first cornet solo at the age of eight. Ivor Sims, the man who started the Morriston Orpheus Choir, was his music teacher and he sang in the first school choir ever heard on radio at the age of twelve. Following his move to Luton he was Band Master at George Kent’s and then Hitchin Town bands before taking over Vauxhall Motors’ Male Voice Choir for 20 successful years. He has also been involved with the Luton Centenary Choir and the Putteridge Singers.

Ken was co-founder of the Luton Male Voice Choir in 1993 and was recently presented with the Mayor of Luton’s Award for Service to the Community. He has been an active member of the National Association of Choirs for many years, having chaired Group 11, and was made a Honorary Vice President of the NAC in 2006.

Deputy MD and Accompanist - Mr Stuart Pattinson

Stuart has been playing the piano since the age of 10 and is still hoping to get it right some day. In addition to the Luton MVC Stuart has been accompanist for several Salvation Army Choruses and many vocal and instrumental soloists. In addition to the piano/keyboard he plays the Eb Bass (Tuba) in a brass band and assists with local school orchestras and ensembles in the Hemel Hempstead area.

Accompanist - Mr Tony Heathcote

Tony has been associated with all types of music for many years. Initially trained as a classical pianist he achieved all grades in the Trinity College exams. He was invited to join a local jazz band called ‘The Leasiders’ and was with them for some years before joining a dance band which ranged from a quartet to a 15 piece band. During this period he joined the Vauxhall Motors Ladies choir as accompanist; it was with them he played at The Albert Hall. He then accompanied the Vauxhall Male Voice Choir.

Tony has been with The Luton Male Voice Choir from soon after it was formed and looks forward to many more years of service with the choir.