Ernest Young

Ernest is the conductor of Bede Chorus and Bede Wind and has been involved in musical activities on Tyneside for more than 50 years.

He was Head of Music for a secondary school on Tyneside before becoming Music Co-ordinator for the Borough of South Tyneside.

Ernest was seconded to "Sing Up" and based at Sage Gateshead, helping to introduce the national singing strategy when he visited many music groups throughout the country.

He has also worked as an arranger and musical director for BBC and ITV religious productions.

He was awarded a scholarship by the English Speaking Union to study the training of young musicians in America, where he visited nine cities.

Among his many compositions and arrangements there are over 100 for choir, and his instrumental pieces have been on national examination syllabuses for many
years.

In 2019 Ernest was awarded the British Empire Medal for Services to Music in HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours.