Joe Allen
Joe is a Leeds-based musical director, arranger/orchestrator, composer & improviser…
Joe graduated in 2023 from Leeds Conservatoire’s MA Musical Direction course.
As a musical director, Joe has worked on R&D weeks for new musicals by Gus Gowland and Leo & Hyde. He also is the musical director for his large improvised music ensemble ‘The Storytelling Collective’.
Joe looks forward to making his professional debut as a musical director with Anton Benson Production’s Beauty & the Beast pantomime at the Northwich Memorial Court this Christmas. Joe has also recently been appointed as the new musical director for the award winning NETheatre, York and looks forward to working on their production of Fiddler on the Roof in 2024.
As a musician, Joe is the band leader & clarinettist for Leeds-based jazz band ‘Manouche Ganoush’ and can also be found playing in various free improv/jazz ensembles around the city. Joe has also worked extensively as a pit musician playing for a vast array of amateur and semi-professional theatre shows where he has made a name for himself as a consummate reed-doubler and sight reader.
As a stage director, Joe has recently directed ‘Dido & Aeneas’ for Leeds Conservatoire’s classical department opera project. Other credits include: Die Fledermaus (LCSU Opera, 2018).
Experience
Musical Director
R&D Week – Candidates (Gus Gowland)
March 2020
R&D Week – Galileo (leo&hyde)
November 2019
“Joe was a fantastic and lovely MD, who I’d definitely recommend – despite coming on last-minute, he still managed to do an excellent job coaching a large chorus in an ambitious, technically difficult piece of music with intricate harmonies.” – Leo Mercer (leo&hyde)
Guest Conductor – Little Shop of Horrors (Bodicote Youth Drama Group)
February 2018
Assistant Musical Director – Hairspray (Bodicote Youth Drama Group)
September – November 2016
Event Management
Experiences:
Event Director – Groovy Shoes Events
(2018 – ongoing)
Festival Manager – Oxjam Leeds Music Festival (2018 – 2019)
President – Leeds Conservatoire Students’ Union (2021 – 2022)
Arranger & Composer
Pieces:
The Is No Rose – SATB & Organ – composed 2016
For two ensembles – Graphic Score – composed 2018
Fire Alarm – Jazz Nonet – composed 2020
Home – Graphic Score – composed 2021
Arrangements:
Various – Die Nacht der Musicals – 2022/23
Defying Gravity – Big Band – arr. 2021
CATANIA ALLEN 