After graduating from The Royal Manchester College of Music Joe gained a post graduate degree from Trent Park College. He has been head of music at both Robert Sutton Technical School in Burton on Trent and Highfields School, Matlock.He was Musical Director of Chesterfield Philharmonic from 1970 tp 1995 and The Derbyshire Singers from its re-formation in 1973 until handing over the baton to his wife Lynne in the 1990's. Joe is a member of The Association of British Choral Directors and The British Kodály Academy from which he gained The Advanced Diploma in Musicianship.