I was born in Red Deer, Alberta. After an exciting childhood as the son of an Anglican priest and an adolescence where I began studies in the visual arts, I took my first degree (B.Mus. Honours in performance) at the University of Manitoba. I then went on to England where I studied at The Royal School of Church Music, and completed my studies at the University of Cambridge, St. John’s College, receiving an MA (Music) studying with George Guest, Gillian Weir and John Scott.
After returning to Canada, I became Director of Music at West Vancouver United Church, where I founded the Vancouver Children’s Choir.
Since 1986, I have been Organist and Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver. I have taken this choir on to win first prize in the Church Choir Category of the CBC National Amateur Choral Competition four consecutive times. In 2006 they also took the prize for Best Performance of a Canadian Choral Work.
As a composer, I have written innovative music such as Spirit of the Child and Cantate Domino and more extended works like Magnificat for soprano soloist and men’s choir. My works are often premiered by the Cathedral Choir and VCC, but other commissions have come from as far away as Central Bucks West High School, Pennsylvania, Syacuse, New York Children’s Chorus; more locally from Surrey Children’s Choir, Vancouver Cantata Singers, Chor Leoni Men’s Choir, Elektra Women’s Choir, Vancouver Chamber Choir and Vancouver Men’s Chorus. A number of works are published by Boosey & Hawkes of New York: such as: Agneau de Dieu, Cantate Domino, Carol of the Child, Earth Teach Me, How Like an Angel, Kontakion, Like a Child, and Sanctus, Agnus Dei (from Mass For Many Nations).
What I do here
The Dean of a Cathedral is technically the Director of Music. He/she will of course normally entrust the music duties to the Organist & Director of Music, but always in total consultation.
So, in consultation with the Dean, I agree to:
Favourite..
I have always disliked this question – whether it’s food, or film or music etc. The only favourite thing for me might be the word “eclectic.” This best describes my tastes in all these areas. Thus it is virtually impossible for me to decide on one film, one composer or one type or category of food. I tend to avoid “favourite” completely!
Contact me about
Christ Church Cathedral gathers, worships, and serves on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Səl̓ilwətaʔɬ nations
Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm