Conducting
I’ve been conducting choirs and chamber orchestras since I was a teenager. I love training choirs and relish the process of rehearsal more than the act of performance itself.
I have been Musical Director of the Renaissance Singers since the start of 2010. I am the founding director of Cantores, an occasional early music chamber choir. Click on the links to go to the relevant groups’ websites.
The Renaissance Singers – since January 2010
I am proud to be MD of one of the best amateur early music choirs around, the Rennies. This London-based chamber ensemble has a distinguished history as a leading protagonist in the early music movement. We usually offer three concerts a year, plus open workshops and Friends events.
Cantores – since 1998
I founded this early music ensemble on graduating from Exeter University. The group grew out of the chamber choir I ran while doing my doctorate: the Exeter University Cantors. I felt that the group had built up special musical and social characteristics and wanted to continue our tradition of performing early music in a direct, emotional way in historically appropriate venues. Recent concerts include Philip van Wilder at The Charterhouse, London; Tomas Luis de Victoria at St Bartholomew-the-Less, London; Byrd at Ingatestone Hall, Essex. A CD is ready for commercial release [awaiting].
I am delighted that we have retained many of the original singers in my present choir; equally, I am very sad that Exeter University decided in 2004 to close its Music Department, a depressing development which means, among other things, that one of Britain’s best early music student choirs has ceased to exist.
Work as guest conductor
In recent years I have guest-directed concerts with excellent early music ensembles, including The Cambridge Taverner Choir, a professional-standard early music group led by Dr Owen Rees; Contrafactum, Helen Price’s accomplished ensemble; and Quorum in Milton Keynes.
Past choirs
Canterbury Christ Church University Chamber Choir – 2013 to 2019
This was the best part of my job as Director of Music: I directed the university’s flagship Chamber Choir which performs several times a year in Canterbury Cathedral, also in Rochester Cathedral and around the university campus.
In addition, at the University I directed the University Chorus – a large, unauditioned choir that performs in Canterbury Cathedral with orchestra.
Bristol University Singers – 2009-13
Bristol University’s premier chamber choir, comprising c.35 of the finest young voices. I took care of the earlier music, while co-director, composer and organist David Bednall, looked after the Romantic and recent repertoire. The final year culminated in a well-received CD recording.
Musical Director, OLEM Latin Schola – 2006-11
This rotating ensemble of up to 16 singers performs polyphony and chant at the weekly Latin Mass held on Sunday evenings at the Church of Our Lady & The English Martyrs, Hills Road, Cambridge.
Musical Director, City University Chamber Choir, 2009-10
Musical Director, Hampstead Chamber Choir, 2006-09
Director of Music, St George’s, Hanworth, 2001-ongoing (occasional concerts and special services)
Musical Director, Esterhazy Singers, 2002-03