Biography
Darren Hogg was born and educated in Birmingham. He trained at Birmingham Conservatoire from 1989 to 1993 studying organ, harpsichord and piano accompaniment with David Saint and David Ponsford.
Darren was recently appointed Organist and Director of Music at St. Augustine’s Church, Edgbaston, Birmingham, after having completed seven years as Organist and Director of Music at St. Alban’s Church, Conybere Street, Birmingham. He is Organist at Aston University and is one of two Organists at Lodge Hill Crematorium, Selly Oak, Birmingham. He also deputises at Birmingham Cathedral. He is Accompanist and Assistant Director of Music for the Birmingham Choral Union. He accompanies the Birmingham Dance Xchange, and is one of two accompanists for Solihull Chandos Choir. He also accompanies the City of Birmingham Choir from time to time. He was Accompanist and Assistant Director of Music for the Midland Music Makers Grand Opera Society from 1992-2002. He has performed with many other societies in the Midlands, including the Birmingham Bach Choir, Birmingham Festival Choral Society, the Canoldir Male Voice Choir and the Heart of England Singers. He has featured as Organist on BBC One's Songs of Praise, BBC Radio Two's Sunday Half Hour" and BBC Radio Four's Daily Service.
Darren has won various competitions, including the 1991 "Birmingham and Midland Institute (B.M.I.) Organ Performance Prize" and the 1992 "Gordon Clinton English Song Competition Piano Accompanist Prize".
Darren regularly gives recitals. Past venues have included: Lichfield Cathedral; Leominster Priory; St Alban's Church, Highgate, Birmingham; St Augustine's Church, Edgbaston, Birmingham; St Martin's in the Bullring, Birmingham Parish Church; Bournville Friends Meeting House; and St Alphege Church, Solihull.
From 1994-2001 Darren was a tutor of Organ and Piano (and a choral conductor) at the Birmingham Conservatoire Junior School. He now runs his own private teaching practice (Organ, Music Theory and Piano). He is a member of the Birmingham Organists' Association and has also served on the Association council. In 1992, the Association awarded Darren the "Leonard Gibbons Memorial Prize for Young Organists".
Darren is a full member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians (I.S.M.) and the Musicians Union (M.U.)and is married to Barbara, who is a primary school teacher. Last November, their daughter - Abigail - was born.
Outside the world of music, Darren and Barbara are sponsors of “Dogstrust” (formerly the National Canine Defence League) and are members of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).
