The Revd Dr Alec Corio is the Rector of East Barnet.
Alec was installed as Rector in 2019, following his curacy at St George’s, Stockport, with St Gabriel’s, Adswood, in the Diocese of Chester.
He has served in a range of different churches and in varied geographic and socio-economic contexts – both prior to training for ordination, and following it.
His passion is for teaching and encouraging critical engagement with the foundations and history of Christianity. He has also been heavily involved in building project management and community organising work in East Barnet.
He has an academic background in the History of Religion, and keeps trying to find enough time to publish some research. He is also interested in ecumenicism and inter-religious dialogue.
He is an Associate Tutor at the Eastern Region Ministry Course, lecturing on Liturgy; Chaplain to the local Air Training Corps squadron; Governor at the parish Church of England Primary School; and also trustee of a number of nearby charities.
Mr Alan Danson is Director of Music at St Mary’s.
Alan Danson studied at both the North East Essex Tech. College Music Dept. (now known as The Colchester Institute) and from 1971-1974 at The Royal Academy of Music in London where he studied horn with Ifor James and James Brown, piano with Ruth Harte and orchestration with Leighton Lucas.
Alan’s experience as a working musician has been varied. Performing as a horn player in symphony, chamber, theatre, studio and media, as keyboard player/accompanist in theatre and studio, as conductor directing various orchestras and ensembles, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; notating songs and lead sheets for pop, folk, and theatre and working for artistes such as Steely Dan, Victoria Wood, Ian Hendry, Pete Townsend and Michael Gambon.
As a composer, arranger and orchestrator his work spans symphony orchestra to chamber ensemble; String Quartet, Brass Quintet, Piano Quintet, Wind Trio, Piano Trio, Violin and Piano and Commercial music-“musak”. Music for pantomime, television and commercials.
Compositions have been premiered at the Salzburg, Dartington and Edinburgh festivals and performed in The Purcell Room, The Queen Elizabeth Hall and The Royal Albert Hall.