SIMON HARPER
MUSIC DIRECTOR

Simon Harper (music director) is a freelance singer and conductor. He received his early musical education in Southampton, as a chorister in the church choir of St. Michael and All Angels, Bassett, and a violinist in the Southampton Youth Orchestra. Simon read Music at the University of York, graduating in 2013 with First Class Honours.

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Whilst in York, Simon sang with the Choir of York Minster, Yorkshire Bach Choir, and the University Chamber Choir, with which he often performed as a soloist, notably in Monteverdi’s 1610 Vespers and as the Evangelist in the Schütz St. John Passion. As a member of York vocal ensemble The 24, Simon toured China and Serbia. He also took lead roles in York opera productions, including Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Weber’s Der Freischütz. Simon founded and directed the chamber choir Incantiamo, conducted the University Concert Orchestra, and was musical director of the University Opera Society.

 

As a Tenor Lay Clerk in Hereford Cathedral Choir, Simon has sung in live broadcasts on the BBC, and participated in tours of the USA, performed in the Sistine Chapel, and at international events in Normandy to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

 

Simon has studied choral conducting with Paul Spicer, and as a member of the prestigious Genesis Sixteen scheme, worked with The Sixteen and directors Harry Christophers and Eamonn Dougan. Simon also sings with Echo, a professional London-based vocal ensemble. He has been music director of Hereford Chamber Choir since 2014, and in 2019 was appointed music director of the Cotswolds-based Cantores Chamber Choir and Ledbury Choral Society. Simon also gives vocal and instrumental tuition privately and in schools across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.