David Hill (choral director)
Encyclopedia
David Hill is a choral conductor
and organist
. His most high profile roles are as Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers
from September 2007, and Musical Director of The Bach Choir
from April 1998. He was previously Organist
and Director of Music at St John's College, Cambridge
, in succession to Christopher Robinson
from 2002. He formerly held the same title at Winchester Cathedral
from 1987 – 2002 and at Westminster Cathedral
from 1982 – 1987.
Hill was educated at Chetham's School of Music
. He also holds the positions Chief Conductor of the Southern Sinfonia, and Music Director of the Leeds Philharmonic Society. He took up the position of Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers in summer 2007, succeeding Stephen Cleobury
, and assumed the presidency of the Incorporated Association of Organists, succeeding Catherine Ennis. He was succeeded at St John's by Andrew Nethsingha
.
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
and organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
. His most high profile roles are as Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers
BBC Singers
The BBC Singers are the professional chamber choir of the BBC. As one of six BBC Performing Groups, the 24-voiced choir has been in existence for more than 80 years. The BBC Singers have commissioned and premiered works by the leading composers of the past century, including Benjamin Britten, Sir...
from September 2007, and Musical Director of The Bach Choir
The Bach Choir
The Bach Choir is a large chorus, based in London, England. It has around 220 active members. The choir's musical director is David Hill and previous musical directors have included Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Reginald Jacques and Sir David Willcocks.The Bach Choir is an...
from April 1998. He was previously Organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
and Director of Music at St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
, in succession to Christopher Robinson
Christopher Robinson
Christopher Robinson, QC was a Canadian lawyer and prosecutor known for representing the Government of Canada in a number of high profile cases and international disputes. Upon graduation from Upper Canada College, he obtained a BA from Trinity College and a MA from the same institution and was...
from 2002. He formerly held the same title at Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral at Winchester in Hampshire is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the longest nave and overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe...
from 1987 – 2002 and at Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral in London is the mother church of the Catholic community in England and Wales and the Metropolitan Church and Cathedral of the Archbishop of Westminster...
from 1982 – 1987.
Hill was educated at Chetham's School of Music
Chetham's School of Music
Chetham's School of Music , familiarly known as "Chets", is a specialist independent co-educational music school, situated in Manchester city centre, in North West England. It was established in 1969, incorporating Chetham's Hospital School, founded as a charity school by Humphrey Chetham in 1653...
. He also holds the positions Chief Conductor of the Southern Sinfonia, and Music Director of the Leeds Philharmonic Society. He took up the position of Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers in summer 2007, succeeding Stephen Cleobury
Stephen Cleobury
Stephen Cleobury CBE is an English organist and conductor. He was organ scholar at St John's College, Cambridge and sub-organist of Westminster Abbey before becoming Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral in 1979...
, and assumed the presidency of the Incorporated Association of Organists, succeeding Catherine Ennis. He was succeeded at St John's by Andrew Nethsingha
Andrew Nethsingha
Andrew Nethsingha , MA, FRCO, ARCM, is an English choral conductor and organist. He is Director of Music at St John's College, Cambridge, where he was previously Organ Scholar. He was also President of the Cathedral Organists' Association...
.