Simon Williams - Music Director

We are extremely fortunate to have Simon Williams as our Music Director. As mentioned on the About Us page, his charismatic and inspirational leadership invariably draws from us concert performances of the highest standard and almost always beyond our own expectations. His musical and teaching skill, humour and dedication make the learning of challenging pieces not only achievable but also a thoroughly enjoyable experience - and his ability to admonish without causing offence is now legendary!!

Following his musical education at Durham University and the Royal College of Music, Simon's professional career began as Assistant Director of Music at Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood. A gradual move away from school work now sees him working as Director, RCO Academy at The Royal College of Organists, as one of the tutorial team for St Giles International Organ School, and as Organist & Director of Music at St George's Hanover Square, London where he is responsible for running the professional choir. He has made numerous radio broadcasts both as conductor and organist.

A firm believer in the importance of mixing well-known with less familiar repertoire, and in commissioning new music, Simon has won a Performing Rights Society Award for enterprise in programming and has given first performances of a number of major works, including those by Bryan Kelly, Jonathan Ayerst and Lorna K. Dawson. He also received a BT/NFMS Innovation Award for his part in establishing Singing for Starters, the Society's highly successful training choir. Simon's association with us goes back to 1982 when he was first invited, as an organist, to play for our Christmas Celebration concert. This was followed by a few years as our accompanist before he was unanimously invited to take over as Music Director in 1992.

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