Ian Allan - Conductor

Before settling in Cumbria over three years ago, Ian spent twenty three years as a conductor, trombonist, pianist and harpist in the British Army. In common with most military musicians Ian is extremely versatile having performed professionally with jazz bands, pop groups, big bands and orchestras on an array of different instruments.

He has conducted professional bands and choirs at all levels from primary school demonstrations through to Royal Occasions encompassing a wide variety of genres. The British Army had two professional choirs within its ranks, one of which was formed by Ian and he subsequently conducted the choir both nationally and internationally until his retirement four years ago. In 2004 Ian’s choir was chosen to sing at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Ian has toured the world as a musician and has performed Fanfares for the Royal Variety Show and led the fanfare team that heralded the reopening of the Brandenburg Gate in 1989. He is a prolific arranger having had several arrangements recorded commercially and for several years he led a team of musicians onto the stage of the nationally acclaimed Sights and Sounds of Christmas at Thursford, Norfolk where he and his wife, Tracie Penwarden, met.

Tracie Penwarden – Soprano 

Tracie started her musical career as a pianist and bassoonist but it was her passion for singing that led her to Trinity College of Music, London. She graduated with distinction in 1995 after five years of study, claiming the Singing Department Prize in her postgraduate year. 

Tracie specialises in oratorio and has travelled the country performing such works as Handel Messiah, Mozart Requiem, Mendelssohn Elijah and Poulenc Gloria. She has an enviable versatility, however, and engagements have included performing classical recitals on board Mediterranean and Baltic cruise liners and she even sang backing vocals on an album of “Jungle” music! For seven seasons she performed song and dance roles at the famous Thursford Christmas Sights and Sounds Spectacular held annually in Norfolk, regularly attracting an audience of over 90,000. She has sung professionally in most of London’s concert venues including The Royal Albert Hall as part of the Promenade series of concerts.   

Tracie studied with the internationally renowned tenor, Wynford Evans. 

Her first visit to Cumbria was in 2003 when Glyn Hopkins invited her to sing with Arnside Choral Society. She fell in love with Cumbria and has now made Milnthorpe her permanent home where she lives with Ian and their son Austin. Tracie is now a popular singing teacher in local schools as well as having her own private music practice.

If you wish to book Tracie for your event or are interested in having singing lessons then please contact her directly by Email.