William Whitehead (organist)
Encyclopedia
William Whitehead is an English concert organist. Born in London, he was trained through the Oxbridge and Cathedral route. One of his recordings, Dances of Life and Death (released by Chandos Records
) was awarded a Diapason Découverte in Diapason Magazine. He is represented in North America by Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists.
. After a period of study at Hereford Cathedral
, he took up a place at University College, Oxford
as Organ Scholar
. This was followed by a year's study at the Royal Academy of Music
in London. At the same time he held the position of Organ Scholar of Westminster Abbey
.
where he was the inaugural director of the new girls' choir. Subsequent appointments were as an Academic Studies Lecturer at the Royal Academy of Music
and as Director of Music at St Mary's Bourne Street.
Whitehead co-directs the London Organ Forum with Ann Elise Smoot. He is a Professor of Organ at Trinity College of Music
in London, and examines for the Royal College of Organists
.
Chandos Records
Chandos Records is an independent classical music recording company based in Colchester, Essex, in the United Kingdom, founded in 1979 by Brian Couzens.- Background :...
) was awarded a Diapason Découverte in Diapason Magazine. He is represented in North America by Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists.
Training
Whitehead was a pupil at Taunton SchoolTaunton School
Taunton School is a co-educational independent school in the county town of Taunton in Somerset in South West England. It serves boarding and day-school pupils from the ages of 13 to 18....
. After a period of study at Hereford Cathedral
Hereford Cathedral
The current Hereford Cathedral, located at Hereford in England, dates from 1079. Its most famous treasure is Mappa Mundi, a mediæval map of the world dating from the 13th century. The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.-Origins:...
, he took up a place at University College, Oxford
University College, Oxford
.University College , is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2009 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £110m...
as Organ Scholar
Organ scholar
An organ scholar is a young musician employed as a part-time assistant organist at an institution where regular choral services are held. The idea of an organ scholarship is to provide the holder with playing, directing and administrative experience....
. This was followed by a year's study at the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
in London. At the same time he held the position of Organ Scholar of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
.
Career
His first appointment after study was as Assistant Organist of Rochester CathedralRochester Cathedral
Rochester Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, is a Norman church in Rochester, Kent. The bishopric is second oldest in England after Canterbury...
where he was the inaugural director of the new girls' choir. Subsequent appointments were as an Academic Studies Lecturer at the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
and as Director of Music at St Mary's Bourne Street.
Whitehead co-directs the London Organ Forum with Ann Elise Smoot. He is a Professor of Organ at Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music is one of the London music conservatories, based in Greenwich. It is part of Trinity Laban.The conservatoire is inheritor of elegant riverside buildings of the former Greenwich Hospital, designed in part by Sir Christopher Wren...
in London, and examines for the Royal College of Organists
Royal College of Organists
The Royal College of Organists or RCO, is a charity and membership organisation based in the United Kingdom, but with members around the world...
.