Events
Tickets are available on Eventbrite or via the St Laurence's shop.
Lee Ward
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Lee is Director of Music at Liverpool Cathedral where he directs the fine choirs of boys, girls and lay clerks and also the chamber ensemble, Liverpool24. He has oversight of a significant programme of choral outreach and musical education within the cathedral and the city. He gives frequent organ recitals in the cathedral and beyond and has acted as accompanist to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and organist for the RLPO.
Previously Lee was Organist at the Basilica of São Bento in, São Paulo, Brazil for some six years. There, he formed the São Paulo Organ School and was organist to OSESP and the Theatro Municpal. He gave frequent organ recitals across South America. In addition, he was Director of Music at St. Paul’s British School running a large department delivering a traditional British musical curriculum.
Lee was Director of Music at The London Oratory School where he also ran the London Oratory Schola, a renowned boys’ and men’s choir. In addition to its liturgical responsibilities at Brompton Oratory, the choir made several recordings ranging from ancient and modern settings of Ave Maria to film scores (Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, the Fantastic Mister Fox etc.) He ran a programme of choral outreach in London schools through the Sing Up and Choir School’s Association.
The Schola made several concert tours in Europe and the USA including singing for the Beatification of John Henry Newman by Pope Benedict XVI, at which service Lee played the organ in Birmingham, broadcast across the globe.
Lee was also Director of Music at Hampstead Parish Church for some 18 years, working with a fine professional choir and a wonderful Willis organ. The graduate chamber choir he founded, Colla Voce still performs to critical acclaim in London and beyond.
Previously Lee was Organist at the Basilica of São Bento in, São Paulo, Brazil for some six years. There, he formed the São Paulo Organ School and was organist to OSESP and the Theatro Municpal. He gave frequent organ recitals across South America. In addition, he was Director of Music at St. Paul’s British School running a large department delivering a traditional British musical curriculum.
Lee was Director of Music at The London Oratory School where he also ran the London Oratory Schola, a renowned boys’ and men’s choir. In addition to its liturgical responsibilities at Brompton Oratory, the choir made several recordings ranging from ancient and modern settings of Ave Maria to film scores (Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, the Fantastic Mister Fox etc.) He ran a programme of choral outreach in London schools through the Sing Up and Choir School’s Association.
The Schola made several concert tours in Europe and the USA including singing for the Beatification of John Henry Newman by Pope Benedict XVI, at which service Lee played the organ in Birmingham, broadcast across the globe.
Lee was also Director of Music at Hampstead Parish Church for some 18 years, working with a fine professional choir and a wonderful Willis organ. The graduate chamber choir he founded, Colla Voce still performs to critical acclaim in London and beyond.
Colin Walsh
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Colin Walsh’s association with Cathedral music goes back over forty years. He has served, in various capacities, St George’s Chapel Windsor Castle, Christ Church Oxford (where he worked closely with Simon Preston and studied the organ with Nicholas Danby), Salisbury Cathedral and St Albans Cathedral. He went to Lincoln Cathedral in 1988 as Organist and Master of the Choristers, becoming Organist Laureate in 2003.
As an organ recitalist he has played in all the major venues in the UK, most European countries, the USA, Australasia, Hong Kong and Russia.
His studies in Paris with the blind French organist and composer Jean Langlais inspired him to specialise in 19th and 20th century French organ music. In 1988 he played at The Royal College of Organists some music of Olivier Messiaen in front of the composer. His recordings on CD and DVD as a choral conductor, accompanist and soloist number nearly forty over many years and various labels. He has appeared as organ soloist in the BBC Radio 3 ‘Live in Concert’ series, and more recently he has recorded a live performance of Messiaen’s La Nativité for Priory Records, a CD of Bach in Lincoln Cathedral, and Dupré and Demessieux from the famous Cavaillé-Coll organ of St Ouen, Rouen.
He describes the famous ‘Father’ Henry Willis Organ of Lincoln Cathedral as ‘one of the best’. He teaches in Cambridge and London and is an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the University of Lincoln. His interests include travel, animals and, of course, good food.
As an organ recitalist he has played in all the major venues in the UK, most European countries, the USA, Australasia, Hong Kong and Russia.
His studies in Paris with the blind French organist and composer Jean Langlais inspired him to specialise in 19th and 20th century French organ music. In 1988 he played at The Royal College of Organists some music of Olivier Messiaen in front of the composer. His recordings on CD and DVD as a choral conductor, accompanist and soloist number nearly forty over many years and various labels. He has appeared as organ soloist in the BBC Radio 3 ‘Live in Concert’ series, and more recently he has recorded a live performance of Messiaen’s La Nativité for Priory Records, a CD of Bach in Lincoln Cathedral, and Dupré and Demessieux from the famous Cavaillé-Coll organ of St Ouen, Rouen.
He describes the famous ‘Father’ Henry Willis Organ of Lincoln Cathedral as ‘one of the best’. He teaches in Cambridge and London and is an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the University of Lincoln. His interests include travel, animals and, of course, good food.
Shaun Turnbull
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Shaun Turnball is the Assistant Director of Music at Blackburn Cathedral, a post he has held since 2012. Prior to this position, Shaun held a number of posts in the North-East concurrently including, Director of Chapel Music, St John’s College, Durham University; Director of Music, Ponteland Parish Church; together with the role of musical director of a number of secular choirs. Shaun also spent a period as a deputy Lay Clerk at Newcastle Cathedral, where he also deputised as accompanist during an interregnum. He performed a similar role on the organ for two terms at Hexham Abbey.
As an organist, Shaun has played for numerous high-profile services and broadcasts. Whilst a student in Birmingham, he played in master classes for a number of legends of the organ world including Thomas Trotter, Dame Gillian Weir, David Sanger, Wolfgang Zerer, David Goode, and Susan Landale. More regular study was with Professor David Saint, Canon Marcus Huxley, James Parsons, and Daniel Moult. More recently, Shaun has continued musical studies with Darius Battiwalla and Dr John Bertalot.
Shaun is a holder of both the Fellowship and Choral Directing Diplomas of the Royal College of Organists; in the latter, he was the John Brook Memorial Prize winner (for achieving the highest marks in the practical assessment).
Shaun has an active and regular relationship with the BBC- having broadcast on Choral Evensong, Songs of Praise, Sunday Half Hour and particularly Daily Service- the latter of which he has contributed to over 100 editions of the long-running programme.
Recent recital performances include Hexham Abbey, Marylebone Parish Church; St Chad’s, Shrewsbury; St Giles, Pontefract; along with the Cathedrals of Bangor, St Edmundsbury, and Bradford.
As an organist, Shaun has played for numerous high-profile services and broadcasts. Whilst a student in Birmingham, he played in master classes for a number of legends of the organ world including Thomas Trotter, Dame Gillian Weir, David Sanger, Wolfgang Zerer, David Goode, and Susan Landale. More regular study was with Professor David Saint, Canon Marcus Huxley, James Parsons, and Daniel Moult. More recently, Shaun has continued musical studies with Darius Battiwalla and Dr John Bertalot.
Shaun is a holder of both the Fellowship and Choral Directing Diplomas of the Royal College of Organists; in the latter, he was the John Brook Memorial Prize winner (for achieving the highest marks in the practical assessment).
Shaun has an active and regular relationship with the BBC- having broadcast on Choral Evensong, Songs of Praise, Sunday Half Hour and particularly Daily Service- the latter of which he has contributed to over 100 editions of the long-running programme.
Recent recital performances include Hexham Abbey, Marylebone Parish Church; St Chad’s, Shrewsbury; St Giles, Pontefract; along with the Cathedrals of Bangor, St Edmundsbury, and Bradford.
James Davy
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James Davy is in his eighth year as Organist and Master of the Choristers at Chelmsford Cathedral. Since his appointment the output of the music department has grown considerably, and collaborations in that time include performances with the David Pickthall Big Band, Chelmsford Sinfonietta, Canzona Baroque Orchestra, The King’s Singers and The Band of HM Royal Marines. James has twice been chorusmaster for operas by Benjamin Britten at the Aldeburgh Festival - in 2014 and 2017 - working with world-class singers and orchestral musicians. He is also musical director of the Chelmsford Singers, with whom he pursues an enterprising and imaginative concert programme.
Prior to his appointment at Chelmsford, James held posts at Portsmouth, Durham, St Albans and Blackburn Cathedrals, and at Winchester College. An experienced broadcaster and recorded performer, James has worked on BBC and ITV television, BBC Radios 2, 3, & 4 and local radio; he has performed on and produced a number of CD recordings, including Sing Praise to Christ featuring the choirs of Chelmsford Cathedral.
James is a published composer and in his remaining spare time plays the piano with the David Pickthall Big Band and is a keen equestrian; with his Irish Sports Horse Max, James is aiming to compete at One Day Events; you can follow their journey on social media using the hashtags #eventingorganist #80by40 and #equestrianorganist.
Prior to his appointment at Chelmsford, James held posts at Portsmouth, Durham, St Albans and Blackburn Cathedrals, and at Winchester College. An experienced broadcaster and recorded performer, James has worked on BBC and ITV television, BBC Radios 2, 3, & 4 and local radio; he has performed on and produced a number of CD recordings, including Sing Praise to Christ featuring the choirs of Chelmsford Cathedral.
James is a published composer and in his remaining spare time plays the piano with the David Pickthall Big Band and is a keen equestrian; with his Irish Sports Horse Max, James is aiming to compete at One Day Events; you can follow their journey on social media using the hashtags #eventingorganist #80by40 and #equestrianorganist.
Neil Taylor
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Neil is a sought after and renowned choral director, organist, piano accompanist, teacher and coach, based in the North West of England.
After winning a Scholarship to the Royal College of Music, he held appointments at St Albans and Norwich Cathedrals, and was Organist and Director of Music at Sheffield Cathedral until 2016. During his time in Sheffield, the cathedral choir toured both at home and abroad (including Germany, Holland, France, Hungary, the Czech Republic and the USA) and broadcast frequently on BBC Radios 2, 3 & 4. His CD Recordings include Music for a Millennium, a Classic FM Magazine CD of the Year Award Winner, and numerous releases as organist and conductor, all to high critical acclaim.
As solo organist, he has played at many of the major venues in the UK, and has worked with the Hallé, Northern Chamber Orchestra, Manchester Camerata, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, the Orchestra of Opera North, Huddersfield Choral Society, and the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera.
He is Music Director of St George’s Singers, Manchester, and Keele Bach Choir; he appears frequently with the BBC as Musical Director and Organist on Songs of Praise, Daily Service and Sunday Worship.
In his spare time he enjoys reading and walking. A keen cook, he is also an enthusiast of real ales and good wines.
After winning a Scholarship to the Royal College of Music, he held appointments at St Albans and Norwich Cathedrals, and was Organist and Director of Music at Sheffield Cathedral until 2016. During his time in Sheffield, the cathedral choir toured both at home and abroad (including Germany, Holland, France, Hungary, the Czech Republic and the USA) and broadcast frequently on BBC Radios 2, 3 & 4. His CD Recordings include Music for a Millennium, a Classic FM Magazine CD of the Year Award Winner, and numerous releases as organist and conductor, all to high critical acclaim.
As solo organist, he has played at many of the major venues in the UK, and has worked with the Hallé, Northern Chamber Orchestra, Manchester Camerata, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, the Orchestra of Opera North, Huddersfield Choral Society, and the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera.
He is Music Director of St George’s Singers, Manchester, and Keele Bach Choir; he appears frequently with the BBC as Musical Director and Organist on Songs of Praise, Daily Service and Sunday Worship.
In his spare time he enjoys reading and walking. A keen cook, he is also an enthusiast of real ales and good wines.