http://www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire/content ... ture.shtml
On the buses, on the stage, Lancaster's multi-talented maestro!
Harle Syke born Jude Glendinning's singing voice was spotted at the age of nine. After four years at the RNCM Jude progressed to perform in remote places like Iona and for the critical sophistactes of Lancaster.
Jude Glendinning shares her story with BBC Radio Lancashire:-
"I was born in 1965 in Harle Syke, Burnley - my parents owned the local bakery. I attended Briercliffe Primary School and then went on to Edge End High School before doing my A levels at Nelson and Colne College. My singing talents were noticed at the age of nine when I was encouraged to take up music lessons and was entered for various local festivals and competitions – all good confidence building stuff!
I went on gain a place at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and got an honours degree in Music with my principle study as singing. I started teaching privately at that point, and even played in a piano bar in the town centre (Manchester). A job opportunity came up offering me the opportunity to work on the West Coast of Scotland at Iona Abbey as Musician/ Musical Director. That was in 1988.
The following year I returned to Manchester to do a PGCE and subsequently got a job in a school in Kirby, Prescot, on the way to Liverpool. I quickly discovered school teaching wasn’t for me!
Around this time a group of us had formed the band Strata and were playing a few gigs around Lancaster. After the band disbanded I continued with more singing work with groups and choirs, and teaching privately.
These days I enjoy a more settled routine – although I’ve had to subsidise my singing and music with odd jobs ranging from a spot of painting and decorating – to driving a bus!
I now run a routine Saturday morning choir (Flexitime) at the Lancaster Community Music Centre and a Community Choir – HumHoller'n'Sing, singing music from around the world. I also sing with a group of friends in the group “Five In A Bar” - an acapella vocal group singing a variety of material towards the folk end of the musical spectrum."