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:
- Meet regularly with the Dean and other interested clergy to assist in the choosing of hymns; discuss the liturgical calendar and possible special music that coincides with each Sunday.
- Serve on the Dean’s Council of Liturgy and Music – meetings as required
- Design the choir calendar (starts the Sunday closest to Holy Cross Day in September up to the Cathedral Summer Festival of Sacred Music Sundays in July each season)
- Research and plan repertoire for the Cathedral Choir calendar Sunday to Sunday
- Set out music for the choir every Thursday and Sunday, and oversee the collection and putting away of music – with the help of a librarian if available
- Study and prepare choir scores for rehearsals Thursday and Sunday mornings
- Teach good vocal/choral technique alongside rehearsing the Cathedral Choir repertoire every Thursday night and Sunday morning
- Prepare, practice and play organ for the hymns, anthems and postludes as required each week
- Prepare, practice and conduct the choir for Sunday mornings & other events
- Plan and set out music for Compline each Sunday
- Be responsible for the hiring of all section leaders; overseeing their invoicing every month, for all duties – checking all invoices and signing off on them; communicate info for events where section leaders are requested ie. memorials, weddings etc.
- Foster and encourage “in residence” choirs: ie. Gospel Choir and Vancouver Children’s’ Choir and other possible events where all 3 choirs can participate in worship/concerts together
- Respond to possible guest choirs to sing from time to time on Sunday mornings at Christ Church Cathedral
- Respond and co-ordinate requests for Cathedral Choir involvement in tours, films, competitions, recordings, concerts, weddings & memorial services
- Oversee the regular maintenance and upkeep of the Cathedral “family” of instruments.
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
- The possibility of joining the Cathedral Choir
- The possibility of joining the Compline Choir (Men or Women’s Schola)
- Upcoming special events such as Choral Evensongs or the Summer Festival of Sacred Music
- When you can hear the Cathedral organ
- What Sundays the Cathedral Choir sings
