Who's Who

Belfast Music Society is run by a voluntary board of management with a part-time Concerts’ Manager. It is lottery funded through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and generously sponsored each year by the Friends of BMS

The Board of BMS is delighted to welcome three new members and a new Concerts Manager:

Piers Hellawell (composer) - Professor of Composition at Queen's University. His work has been performed around the world by leading artists such as Psappha, Hilliard Ensemble, Schubert Ensemble, Håkan Hardenberger and the Philharmonia, Stockholm Chamber Brass and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. A new CD, 'Dogs and Wolves', of recent orchestral and chamber work, has just been released on the Metronome label. In 2007 his music was acquired by international publisher Peters Edition Ltd. His next work to appear is 'Agricolas' for clarinet and orchestra, to be premiered by Robert Plane and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in Llandaff Cathedral in September 2008. www.qub.ac.uk

Dr Pamela Smith – Pam has worked in music administration and project management in Northern Ireland for nearly 20 years. Her working experience in the sector began with the Ulster Orchestra, where she took on the running of the Orchestra's education and outreach programme. From 1995 - 2003 she was Music and Opera Officer at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, during which time she was also seconded to the Arts Council of Ireland for 9 months as specialist Opera advisor. Since leaving the Arts Council she has been occupied with raising two young sons, but also found time last year to act as Artistic Advisor to the Opera Fringe Festival in Downpatrick. She is currently administrator to the International Computer Music Conference, which will be taking place at Queen's later this year.Pam is (or used to be!) a keen singer, performing with various choirs in Queen's University and also with Singet until 1999. She was a member of the BMS board from 1989-1995, and continued her involvement after that through her role with the Arts Council. She is delighted to be joining the BMS again!

Lauren Kerr – Lauren is currently studying Business Information Technology at Queens University Belfast. She was introduced to music at a primary school age where she began playing the Cello.She was part of the NEELB for eight years. She progressed to the CBSM and was part of the City of Belfast Youth orchestra for two years. She is now a member of the Studio Symphony Orchestra and the newly established Queens University Symphony Orchestra. Lauren currently plays in a number of string ensembles and thoroughly enjoys performance. In summer 2007 she was invited to attend Apple Hill in New Hampshire, America, where she played with musicians from all across the world. She is very fortunate to have met some really talented and kind people. Lauren looks forward to being involved within the Belfast Music Society.

Jill Deacon – Jill is currently studying Pharmacy at Queens University Belfast. She attended Belfast High School and completed A-levels in chemistry, biology, physics and maths. Music has been a huge part of her life from a primary school age. Jill plays the French horn and has progressed through the City of Belfast School of Music. She has been a member of the City of Belfast Youth Orchestra for four years and the Ulster Youth Orchestra for three. She currently plays in both of these and the recently established Queen's University Symphony Orchestra. Jill looks forward to the involvement in the Belfast Music Society and the experiences both musically and socially it will bring.