When Zac Booles decided to step down as Chorus Director after the 2010 UK Barbershop Convention to focus on his quartet Monkey Magic (aka The Great British Barbershop Boys) we knew he would be difficult to replace. But after just a few months searching, Grand Central Chorus are delighted to welcome back John Grant as Chorus Director.
John is well known and respected in barbershop circles. He’s been involved in the genre since 1975 and has been BABS most successful Musical Director. Indeed, his record in this role is second to none, having achieved six firsts, three seconds and five third placings at Convention. He has also reached the final stages of the Sainsbury’s ‘Choir of the Year’ competition on no less than three occasions.
He was a Founder Member and the Chorus Director of Hallmark of Harmony (Sheffield) from 1978 until 1991 and again from 1996 to 1998. From 1991 to 1996 he became a Founder Member and Chorus Director of Grand Central Chorus winning the UK Championship at their first appearance in the competition in 1993
John has served on the BABS Executive Committee, being Chairman in 1979/80 and then went on to be Chairman of the Guild of Judges in 1981/82. He has also been a judging ‘category specialist’ in both the ‘Sound’ and ‘Singing’ categories and has been involved in the judging programme since 1976. He has been the BABS Historian and spent more than two years organizing the digitalization of archive recordings.
Ill health and work meant that John had to give up directing in 1997 and has only recently decided to take up the baton again and return to direct the Grand Central Chorus. He is delighted to be able to use his experience to work with such a dedicated group of men
John has dedicated much of his time to coaching quartets and choruses throughout the UK and Europe as well as adjudicating at many Barbershop and other close harmony events. He has also regularly served on the faculty of “Harmony College” from its inception in 1977 until the present day.
His wife Jane sings in the quartet “Eu4ia” who have been very successful in British and European ladies competition and were placed 12th at the 2005 Sweet Adeline International competition in Detroit.
