David Smalley, of Mellor Brook, is a former head chorister of Blackburn Cathedral, was director of music at the then Preston Polytechnic and later occupied the same position at St Mary's Hall, Stonyhurst College.
A respected composer, his organ and choral compositions are in use throughout the UK.

Although retired, Mr Smalley, who now takes the honorary title of Professor, has already taken on the awesome task of heading up the Ashton Hall Organ Restoration Trust, which aims to raise £300,000 to restore the oak Gillow case and refurbish the gold front pipes of the century old instrument. The historic organ, housed in Lancaster Town Hall, is also to become a silent organ facility, allowing people to play on it using earphones.

Edwin Booth was a chorister at St Leonard's Parish Church, Balderstone when Mr Smalley was church organist and has added Booths' support to the project.

The NMSM runs courses for all types of musicians, both amateur and professional. It offers a full range of diploma courses up to advanced. These include, for example, composition and accompaniment, and a popular course for clergy, about music in church.

Individual and corporate membership is available for choirs and bands, etc. The school meets annually for an AGM and Music Day and there are musical events planned around the north and midlands region.

The school's website is: www.nmsm@musicnw.co.uk