Out of the box singers are lead by a strong artistic team striving towards musical excellence .
Ned Smith- Music Director
Oliver Gorton – Assistant Music Director
Oliver Gorton is the Assistant Music Director of Out of The Box Singers. Originally from Manchester, Oliver is currently pursuing a degree in Music at the University of Huddersfield, where he continues to broaden his knowledge of choral conducting, vocal performance, and ensemble leadership.
Oliver’s passion for choral singing began at the age of eight when he joined his local junior youth choir. From 2016 to 2024, he was a member of the Hallé Youth Choirs, where he honed his musicianship while performing with some of the world’s leading orchestras. These years offered invaluable opportunities to sing in high-profile venues and to experience first-hand large-scale choral-orchestral performances on peices such as Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius , Vaughan Williams ‘A Sea Symphony’ and Tippet’s ‘Child of Our Time’.
Currently, Oliver is a Choral Scholar with the internationally renowned Hallé Choir, This provides opportunities to perform with orchestras including The Hallé, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and BBC Philharmonic, as well as other leading symphonic choirs from across the UK.
He has performed at some of the country’s most significant concert halls and major festivals, and has had the privilege of working under distinguished conductors such as Sir Mark Elder, Kahchun Wong, and Ryan Wigglesworth. These experiences have allowed him to immerse himself in the great symphonic choral repertoire.
Alongside his large-scale choral work, Oliver has developed a strong interest in chamber singing, regularly performing with small vocal ensembles.
Oliver is equally committed to developing his skills as a conductor. He currently serves as Assistant Director of Music of the University of Huddersfield Choir, where he contributes to rehearsals, repertoire preparation, and performance direction.
In addition to his work in Manchester and Huddersfield, Oliver is also a chorus member at the St Endellion Easter Festival, a celebrated annual gathering of musicians in Cornwall. Performing in this unique and inspiring environment has given him the opportunity to collaborate with a wide network of choral and orchestral musicians from across the UK.
Within Out of The Box Singers, Oliver brings his extensive experience as a choral musician to his role as Assistant Music Director, supporting the choir through vocal coaching, sectional rehearsals, and artistic planning.
Outside his musical endeavours, Oliver is a dedicated volunteer with The Scouts, holding various leadership and support roles across the country. This commitment reflects his passion for community engagement and his belief in the value of nurturing young people’s potential and serving the local community.
Guy – Accompanist
Giselle Diana Herbert – Music Director for Out Of The Box , October 2017 – April 2025
Giselle has always lived locally, beginning in Ripponden and not moving far! Her love of music stems from early childhood, as her mother was a well-known performer of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and musical theatre.
From the age of eleven Giselle studied piano to Licentiate standard with renowned local pianist and organist Sydney Pickles, gaining valuable skills under his guidance. She studied Music, French and English at Sowerby Bridge Grammar School, before training as a teacher in Coventry, gaining an honours degree in Music, English and Education.
Giselle received training in singing with Angela Caine and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, resulting in Advanced Licentiate qualifications in preparation for teaching and performing. Her appreciation for English and Drama was further enhanced through instruction from playwright Andrew Davies, who served as her tutor for three years.
Throughout an extensive profession as a music and singing teacher in the area, Giselle devoted any spare time she had to the stage and to choral work.
Giselle has held lead roles with the Halifax Catholic Amateurs, Brighouse Light Opera, and Halifax Amateur Operatic Societies, and has served as Musical Director for St. Michael’s, Mytholmroyd, the Halifax Amateur Operatic Society, HATY (the junior society), and as director of the Halifax G&S Society over several years.
She is affiliated with the Halifax Thespians, where she has both participated in plays and directed productions. Additionally, she is an active member of Alan Stockdill’s and Catherine Pasek’s Company Talking Stock and has performed with The Actors Workshop.
She joined the Halifax Choral Society in 1974, singing under Sir Donald Hunt and Sir Simon Lindley. Giselle was also part of the Taverner Choir, led by Peter and Margaret Williams, and is a member of the Overgate Hospice Choir.
In October 2017, Giselle joined a small group of singers interested in unconventional choral music that blended poetry, prose, and storytelling. As the ensemble expanded, she advanced from singer to Music Director.
The group performed their first concerts in 2019. Giselle took the difficult decision to step back from her role as MD in summer 2024, agreeing to lead the choir until a new MD was recruited and ‘bedded in’. She currently participates as a vocalist in Out Of The Box Singers and serves on the Steering Group.