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Quattro Correnti Chamber Choir
Formed in 1992, the QC Chamber Choir is a small group of singers drawn from areas around Hertford. The choir is based in Hertford and so its name has Hertford connections. The town has four rivers within it and so, with a little poetic licence in the translation of rivers, the Choir has taken the name Quattro Correnti or "QC". The choir has given concerts in many parts of Hertfordshire, rapidly developing a reputation for varied repertoire and high standard, and celebrated its first ten years by releasing a CD of music reflecting its broad repertoire. Following the departure of the founding conductor, Derek Harrison, in 2009 QC was delighted to now be working with Matthew Manchester, the new Music Director.

Matthew Manchester
Matthew Manchester graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2002 with Honours in a Bachelor of Music (Music Education). In 2007 he completed his Master of Music (Performance), specialising in Baroque Trumpet and researching the trumpet arias of Handel. Matthew was the winner of numerous scholarships for trumpet, including the Margaret Henderson Trust Award at the age of 17. As an orchestral and baroque trumpet player, Matthew has performed with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, and as principal trumpet of the Sydney Philharmonia Baroque Ensemble, the Eminence Orchestra, the Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra, and the Sydney Youth Orchestra, touring Italy in 2004.

Matthew performs regularly in duet with his wife, soprano Anna Sandström. Recent performances included a special commemoration service in Westminster Abbey for the 250th anniversary of the death of Handel, and a recital in the Handel House museum.

Matthew continues to work in music education in the UK, teaching and tutoring music in both a classroom context, and directing choral programmes. Whilst in Australia, Matthew also regularly tutored and conducted for the Sydney Youth  Orchestra. He has worked as a chamber music tutor for the Conservatorium High School in Sydney, taught in various high schools and music institutions including the Australian Institute of Music, and is in demand as a tutor for music camps and workshops.

In addition to his work in brass playing and music education, Matthew is also an established singer and conductor, holding a permanent baritone position with the choir of St James, King St. from 2003-2007. As a conductor, Matthew has directed numerous operettas and shows and conducts regularly with the Sydney University Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Youth Orchestra. In 2005, Matthew acted as assistant conductor for the Sydney Youth Orchestra, conducting works including Debussy’s La Mer, and a production of The Rite of Spring with the Queensland Ballet. Matthew was selected to participate in the Symphony Australia Conductor        Development Programme for 2007, conducting Orchestra Victoria and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.