Most teachers start their professional life in their early 20s and by the milestone age of 40 have built up a wealth of experience. But many find it difficult to see how their experience could be leveraged to change career direction.

With 24 years service as organist and master of the choristers at St Patrick's Cathedral, John Dexter felt much the same way.

"When you've been in one job for most of your life, it's easy to assume you can't do anything else," he says. "If the job is going well, you feel you should stay, but in fact this is the best time to look at your talents and decide how you're going to use them for the rest of your life."

John Dexter has decided to use his talents and extensive experience as a conductor and choirmaster to set up John Dexter Harmony - a choir with a difference for boys aged seven to 14 years. The "difference" is that apart from learning to sing, choristers will receive a thorough grounding in musical theory. The emphasis is decidedly professional and the boys are expected to observe choir discipline and to do homework. Fees are £480 a year. So far, 17 boys have been enrolled and the ceiling is 25.

Dexter believes that boys who enjoy singing are not well catered for. He also believes that boys are better singing in a single-sex environment at ages when their voices are changing in a way they may find embarrassing.

A girl's choir is also on the agenda, but Dexter is "starting with what I know and with where I see the biggest need. Our repertoire will be wide, but in my experience children tend to be more attracted by serious music because they like the adult connotation."

As a father of seven, Dexter is familiar with the endless ferrying modern parenthood involves. "The last thing parents needed was a choir in town," he says. "We rehearse near the M50, which we hope will make life easier."

The choir will have its first public performance on November 4th at 6.30 p.m. in Whitechurch Church Hall. For more information about the choir contact (01) 298 7781.