Music Staff 2007-08

Alison Beak (Brass Coordinator and Coordinator of Music in the Grange)

Alison Beak is a graduate of the University of Kent at Canterbury. Her first teaching appointment was at the Cayman Islands Preparatory School, where she established a music department, setting up instrumental provision and alongside music, taught windsurfing, golf and sub aqua diving. In the Cayman Islands she also rehearsed and led the Police Band for the visit of the Queen and Prince Philip on Britannia, adjudicated for the National Festival of the Arts and played hockey for the national team. After four years she returned to the UK to the post of Director of Music at Mostyn House School on the Wirral. Here she established a vibrant music department and played the trumpet in the Gold Award winning Wirral Community Wind Band. In 2004 Alison joined the staff at Monmouth School and in addition to her musical commitments she is a non-resident tutor in New House.

Patricia Dollins (Woodwind Coordinator)

Patricia Dollins is a graduate of the University of Wales (Cardiff). Her first teaching appointment was in Hereford. During four years there, she developed an interest in recorder playing and formed a successful recorder consort. Thereafter, she was appointed Director of Music at Newent School, Gloucestershire where, during a period of six years, she built a new department. Following a career break when her children were born, she was invited to join the visiting music staff at HMSG and subsequently at Monmouth School. After spending some time as Co-ordinator of Music at The Grange, her role now is primarily in the senior school with particular responsibility for the development of the wind bands and woodwind chamber music.

Paul Hunt (Assistant Director of Music and Head of Strings)

Paul Hunt is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, where he specialised in violin and studied with Prof. Rudolph Botta. After graduating, he performed with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, The Halle and the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra before commencing a teaching career at Huyton College, Liverpool. Paul has continued to play professionally with Sadler’s Wells Opera Orchestra and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. He joined the staff at Monmouth School in January 1984 and in addition to teaching academic music and violin he is Housemaster of Wye House. Paul’s interests are diverse; he is an adviser and lecturer in Herpetology and enjoys sport (his father captained the England soccer team in the 50s). Paul holds black belts in Judo and Shukokai Karate and used to play badminton at county level. More cerebral interests include reading and mah jong.

David Lawson (Director of Music)

David Lawson, an organist and singer, is a graduate of the University of Liverpool where he was also Organ Scholar of the Metropolitan Cathedral. After university he was appointed to his first post at Downside School in 1990, subsequently becoming Director of Music there, and in 1992 was installed as a Gentleman of Her Majesty’s Chapels Royal. He came to Monmouth School from Bury Grammar School in 2002. Outside of School he sings regularly with the choirs of Worcester, Llandaff and Gloucester Cathedrals.

Part Time Music Staff

Visiting Music Staff