Accompanists

William Hancox

After a degree at Cambridge, William studied with Hungarian pianist Joseph Weingarten, a student of Dohnanyi, Bartok and Kodaly. He has performed as a soloist, chamber musician and accompanist throughout the UK and internationally, broadcast for Classic FM and the BBC and made a number of recordings. He has held staff pianist positions at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Trinity College of Music and the Britten-Pears School in Aldeburgh.   

William has performed throughout Europe and made several trips to China, giving masterclasses, song recitals, solo recitals and concerts in the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing. He has also worked extensively as a vocal coach, with many students now pursuing successful singing careers. 

William lives in East Sussex and has become increasingly involved in music making in his own community. For many years he was pianist and artistic director of Music at Lime, a chamber music series in Herstmonceux, and he accompanies for Hailsham Choral Society and Laughton Village Choir.  His latest project is Music Box Wealden, launched in 2023, an innovative scheme with ambitious plans to bring more quality classical music into the heart of this largely rural area. 

Colin Hughes

Colin trained at Trinity College of Music, London, where he studied Violin and Piano and it was there that he developed his interest in accompanying, After graduating, he worked as a musician in and around London where he performed in venues including The Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and The Purcell Room. He has held positions as Choirmaster and Organist at a number of churches, and has accompanied services in cathedrals from Ypres to St Albans. He has a passion for choral conducting and has run a number of choral societies (most recently, Seaford Choral Society) as well as playing in orchestras and chamber groups, giving solo recitals and drumming for a rock bands.  Colin moved to Eastbourne to take up the post of Director of Music at St Bede’s Prep School (until 2015) and has become well known and respected as a teacher, accompanist and organist. He is currently Director of Music at St Mary’s church Eastbourne and teaches violin and piano as well as performing.

Malcolm Riley

Malcolm Riley was raised in Harrogate where he was a chorister and later assistant organist at St Peter’s Church. 

Following studies with Adrian Selway he was awarded the organ scholarship at Christ’s College, Cambridge where he read Music.  Following a post-graduate year at Homerton College, Cambridge, Malcolm took up a succession of teaching posts in Bristol and Kent, including 26 years as Director of Music at Cranbrook School. 

He retired from full-time work during the Covid Pandemic and now devotes his time to piano teaching, accompanying, composing, editing and other musicological research. 

He is the author of seven books, including two on the English organist and composer, Percy Whitlock. Currently, Malcolm is working on a monograph on the composer Ernest Farrar (1885-1918). Malcolm is married with two children and two grandsons.