Allan Mottram
Encyclopedia
Allan Mottram, MA (Cantab
) (born 1949) is an expert in choral music, born in Edinburgh
, Scotland
to James A H Mottram (architect) and Barbara P Howie (architectural librarian and artist).
He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy and King's College, Cambridge
as a Choral Scholar and was a member of the prestigious College choir
.
Upon graduating, he became Director of Music at Northaw School, and a Lay Vicar in Salisbury Cathedral. He moved to Winchester in 1981, and was a Lay Clerk in the Winchester Cathedral Choir
under Martin Neary and David Hill, and Head of Modern Languages at the Pilgrims' School (the Cathedral Choir School). While at Winchester, he made many recordings with the Cathedral Choir, and participated in several worldwide tours, as well as frequent performances as a soloist.
He was appointed Headmaster of Christ Church Cathedral School, Oxford
in 1991, a position he retired from in 2000. He currently lives in south-west France, where he pursues an active career as a singer, conductor, and jazz musician.
At Christ Church, he said:
Cantab
Cantab may refer to:*Cantabrigian, a member of the University of Cambridge or a resident of Cambridge*"Cantab", a common shortened form of Cantabrian, a term used for people from Canterbury, New Zealand...
) (born 1949) is an expert in choral music, born in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
to James A H Mottram (architect) and Barbara P Howie (architectural librarian and artist).
He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy and King's College, Cambridge
King's College, Cambridge
King's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. The college's full name is "The King's College of our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge", but it is usually referred to simply as "King's" within the University....
as a Choral Scholar and was a member of the prestigious College choir
Choir of King's College, Cambridge
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge is one of today's most accomplished and renowned representatives of the great British choral tradition. It was created by King Henry VI, who founded King's College, Cambridge in 1441, to provide daily singing in his Chapel, which remains the main task of the...
.
Upon graduating, he became Director of Music at Northaw School, and a Lay Vicar in Salisbury Cathedral. He moved to Winchester in 1981, and was a Lay Clerk in the Winchester Cathedral Choir
Winchester Cathedral Choir
The Winchester Cathedral Choir is an internationally recognized professional choir based at the Winchester Cathedral at Winchester in Hampshire. The choir currently consists of 18 boy choristers and 12 lay clerks and sings eight services weekly in the Cathedral. Sometimes the group augments their...
under Martin Neary and David Hill, and Head of Modern Languages at the Pilgrims' School (the Cathedral Choir School). While at Winchester, he made many recordings with the Cathedral Choir, and participated in several worldwide tours, as well as frequent performances as a soloist.
He was appointed Headmaster of Christ Church Cathedral School, Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
in 1991, a position he retired from in 2000. He currently lives in south-west France, where he pursues an active career as a singer, conductor, and jazz musician.
At Christ Church, he said:
"To be a chorister in one of England's magnificent cathedrals or collegiate chapels is an unforgettable experience for a boy. It is possibly the finest training that he can have. Many of today's cathedral organists and professional singers started their education as choristers, but the discipline and professionalism that is part of the chorister's upbringing will stand him in good stead for his future career. A chorister plays a vital role in the glorious heritage of English cathedral music, a tradition as old as the Church in England itself."