Michael Goldthorpe has been the Musical Director of Lymington Choral Society since 2006.

He was born and educated in York and studied at Trinity College Cambridge where he performed in the college choir, orchestra and wind band whilst reading for an English degree. After further study at King’s College London and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, he joined the BBC Singers and the music profession in 1968. Since then he has travelled widely with various Chamber Operas, The London Opera Group, Kent Opera, The Chelsea Opera Group, The English Bach Festival, L’Atelier Lyrique de Tourcoing and The Royal Opera Company Covent Garden.

He has broadcast numerous recitals and concerts for the BBC and stations in Europe and Singapore, becoming closely identified with the French Baroque revival of the seventies and eighties, and making many records and television appearances.

He has taught for several London music conservatoires, directing choirs and ensembles, and has been a vocal tutor for both Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

He is also currently Musical Director of the New Music Makers, Hedge End, vocal tutor at Priestlands School, and founder director of a travelling group of musicians and actors, The Bold Balladiers.

Timothy Rice has been involved in music from an early age. Piano tuition started at home and, at the age of six, he also joined the local church choir of his home town in Essex. Interest in the organ was almost immediate as the probationary period in the choir required new choristers to sit alongside the organist at the console during services for the first few weeks; it was from this vantage point that Timothy watched and listened in fascination at the skill of the organist and the sound of the instrument. After progressing to Grade V on the piano, he was then allowed to embark on the thrills of organ playing. At the age of thirteen, Timothy took his first organist post at a neighbouring parish church. He gained his Associateship of the London College of Music (for piano playing) while still at school and, in 1989, became an Associate of the Royal College of Organists. Timothy has lived in the New Forest area since 1983. He was Director of Music at Hordle Parish Church from 1983, a post he held for thirty-two years until being appointed to his present position as Director of Music at St. John’s Church, Boldre in 2015. Timothy is also accompanist to Lymington and Ringwood Choral Societies and works as a freelance organist and accompanist.