Accompaniment and Coaching
Alongside his career as a soloist, Gabs has established a strong reputation as a highly sought-after accompanist and chamber musician. This extensive collaborative experience, combined with his expertise as a teacher, places him in demand as an instrumental and vocal coach. He works with musicians of all levels—singers and instrumentalists alike—to deepen interpretation, refine stylistic awareness, strengthen ensemble skills, and prepare for performance at the highest level. Rather than concentrating on basic technical instruction, Gabs focuses on musical insight, expressive clarity, and the art of collaborative performance, helping musicians unlock the full potential of their chosen repertoire.
Piano Accompaniment and Continuo
Gabs has extensive experience as a piano accompanist and continuo player. As the main accompanist and Chapel Organist at St Edward’s, Oxford for over 20 years, he has accompanied instrumentalists and singers of all abilities for examinations, auditions and concerts.
He has worked widely with choirs and choral societies and offers expert preparation for any upcoming performance.
As a continuo player, Gabs has performed with the Chapel Choir of The Queen’s College, Oxford, as well as with Instruments of Time and Truth, bringing stylistic insight and sensitivity to both early and modern repertoire.
Exam/event accompanying
Gabs provides accompaniment and coaching for instrumental/vocal examinations, auditions, competitions, and concerts. In addition, regardless of instrument or voice type, Gabs offers personalised practice sessions that focus on developing posture, breathing, technique, musicality, and performance skills. These sessions are tailored to individual needs, ensuring that each musician receives targeted guidance and support. Gabs puts a strong emphasis on building confidence and reducing performance anxiety.
Choral Societies/Orchestral keyboard
Since training at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in the 1990s, Gabs has played an essential role in numerous choral societies, emerging as a skilled répétiteur and assistant. While still a student, he seized the opportunity to play orchestral keyboard roles under conductors such as the late Richard Hickox and Sir Colin Davis. Since then, Gabs has performed on piano, electronic keyboard and celesta, contributing to a diverse range of classical ensembles and musical theatre productions. Local current engagements include the choral societies of New College, Oxford, Eynsham, Wantage and Wokingham.
