Committee

Mike Pratt

Chairman/Musical Director
Mike was appointed Musical Director to the York Community Carol Concert in 2017 after being John Warburton's assistant in the two previous concerts in 2015 and 2016.

Well known in the banding circles and coming from a famly engrossed in brass bands, both his mother and father were members of the York Railway Institute Band and also Rowntree Cocoa Works Band.

Mike plays euphonium for the Shepherd Group Band and is conductor of the Shepherd Group Concert Brass Band.

He has brought a wealth of musical experience to the committee and his enthusiasm on stage adds to the entertainment at Christmas time.

On John Warburton's election as President of the Carol Concert in 2022 - Mike took on the dual role as both Chairman and Musical Direcor for the concert.

Graham Bradbury

Hon. Secretary/Treasurer
Elected to the committee as Treasurer in 1994 after his father, Fred, the founder of the Carol Concert, passed away.

Graham has been involved assisting with the printing of programmes and posters through his business contacts for the event since 1983.

He took on the joint role of Secretary/Treasurer in 2004. Guiding the Community Carol Concert through the uncertain years when the Barbican was unavailable for use.

Well known in the local sporting world and a Life Member of the York Referees’ Association, he regularly organises fundraising activities for many local charites.

Ken Humphreys

Born and educated in Halifax before attending St John's College in York. Taught in York Secondary Schools for 35 years, before taking early retirement in 1991.

For many years a performing member of York Amateur Operatic Society. Now spends his time giving talks to anyone who cares to listen, entertaining with songs and comedy.

Norman Fowler

Norman Fowler is responsible for liaising with schools who take part in the Carol Concert. He has combined a career in teaching with a notable career as singer and songwriter in his alter ego Steve Cassidy.

For the last seventeen years of his teaching career he was head teacher at St George's R.C. Primary school in York, where the school gained an enviable reputation for the quality of its music and drama. He writes songs and musical plays and has written carols performed in past concerts. Recently he has written the music for Black Potatoes the Musical which was produced by York Settlement in Autumn 2010 playing to full houses and receiving great reviews.

Carole Metcalfe

Following in the footsteps of her parents, Norah and Fred Bradbury, Carole is proud to continue the family’s long term association with the York Community Carol Concert.

She fondly remembers giving out the Carol sheets at the very first concert back in 1958, little realising that this would become her yearly ‘tradition’ for all but one of the subsequent concerts!

As someone who appreciates and supports many aspects of music, theatre and the arts; and especially as a 2nd generation ‘Bradbury’, Carole is delighted to see the continuing evolution of her father’s ‘Christmas Gift’ to the City of York.

Katie Jackson

Katie is a proud Yorkshire woman and unofficial cheerleader for the city of York and its unique personality and community spirit.

She was elected to the committee in 2022 with a brief to undertake social media and communications. With a background in marketing, fundraising and event management, taking on York's biggest and best community carol concert was the next logical step.

Katie has worked in both local and international fundraising and began her career at the wonderful St Leonard's Hospice in York. After a brush with royalty and STEM, she is back in York and delighted to be part of the community once again, now working for the University of York.