Simon's update

1 September 2009

2009-08-31T23:00:00.000-07:00

On Sundays 6th and 13th I am playing the organ for the services at St Saviour's Church, Heaton Moor.

Between 14th and 17th I shall be in London rehearsing and recording with Universal Records new singer, Camilla Kerslake.

On 22nd I shall be recording a programme for BBC Radio 3's "The Choir" with Aled Jones.

I am working on a number of arrangements for Camilla Kerslake and for All Angels.

1 July 2009

2009-07-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

On 1 July I shall be presenting the prizes and Guest Speaker in Ely Cathedral for the King's School, Ely

On Monday 6 I shall be recording two Sunday Half Hour programmes for BBC Radio 2 with the choristers of Jesus College, Cambridge.

On Tuesday 7 I shall be broadcasting Daily Service live on BBC Radio 4 with the choristers of Jesus College, Cambridge, and then pre-recording another Daily Service to be transmitted on Monday 13 July

On Friday 17 July I shall be running a choral masterclass at the Southern Cathedrals' Festival in Salisbury with the choristers of Salisbury and Chichester Cathedrals and the Salisbury Cathedral Junior Choir.

I shall be finishing an organ suite for St Chad's Shrewsbury, writing a Grace for Jesus College, Cambridge and a new anthem for a church in St Louis, Missouri.

1 May 2009

2009-05-11T08:31:00.000-07:00

I am spending this month again as Acting Director of Chapel Music at Jesus College, Cambridge.

On Tuesday 26 May, I am playing the organ in a concert celebrating Handel and Purcell in St Katherine Cree Church in the City.

On Friday 29 May, I am giving an organ recital in St Chad's, Shrewsbury.

On Saturday 30th May, I am presnting "The Early Music Show" on BBC Radio 3 at 1pm

1 April 2009

2009-04-09T08:12:00.000-07:00

I am moving to Cambridge at the start of the month to work aagain as Acting Director of Chapel Music at Jesus College until the end of July.

On Sunday 12 I am playing the harmonium in Sheffield Cathedral for a performance of Rossini's "Petit Messe Solennelle".

On Friday 24 I am recording a new script for BBC Radio 3 "Early Music Show" which I am presenting. It will be broadcast in May.

I am working on some new arrangements for the singer, Will Martin.

1 March 2009

2009-03-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday 4, I shall be broadcasting "Daily Service" on BBC Radio 4 with the two BBC Young Choristers of the Year. Following the broadcast, we shall be recording some hymns for BBC Radio 2 "Sunday Half Hour".

On Thursday 5, I shall be in St George's Chapel, Windsor, recording an item for BBC 1's "Songs of Praise" with Harry Bradford, one of the BBC Young Choristers.

On Thursday 12, I shall be playing the organ for BBC Radio 4's "Daily Service".

On Sunday 22 I shall be appearing on BBC Radio 2 "Sunday Half Hour" as an accompanist.

On Sunday 29 I shall be accompanying a Lenten cantata at St Saviour's church in Stockport.

This month I am arranging two new songs for Universal Records for the third All Angels' album.

I am writing two new anthems.

I am preparing a script for a BBC Radio 3 "Early Music Show" that I am recording in April.

1 February 2009

2009-02-04T05:06:00.001-08:00

On Sunday 1 I shall be appearing on BBC1 "Songs of Praise" accompanying.

On Thursday 5, Friday 6 and Friday 13, I shall be in York producing a CD for the Minster Choir.

On Saturday 7 I am giving a concert in Shrewsbury with All Angels.

On Wednesday 11 and Tuesday 24 I shall be working on BBC Radio 4's "Daily Service" programme.

I am also working on some new compositions and arrangements.

1 January 2009

2009-01-04T06:43:00.000-08:00

On Sunday 4 I shall be playing for the morning service at St Saviour's Church, Stockport. I am also appearing on BBC 1 "Songs of Praise" that evening, accompanying the BBC Young Chorister of the Year.

On Thursday 8, I shall be doing some recording in London for the BBC.

I am playing for BBC Radio 4 "Daily Service" and Barry Rose on Wednesday 15, and directing the singers on Thursday 22 and Tuesday 27.

On Sunday 18th, I am presenting BBC Radio 3's "Early Music Show" in a programme about the Mulliner Book. My arrangement of "Make me a channel of your peace" will be broadcast on BBC 1 "Songs of Praise" and sung by All Angels.

I am also working on some arrangements for Will Martin, one of Universal's artists, and completing a new organ composition.

1 Dec 2008

2008-12-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

I am working on a new anthem commission from Shrewsbury School. I have just completed a new Mass setting for Holy Trinity, Coventry and some arrangements for Will Martin, one of Universal's artists.

I am also working on a script for BBC Radio 3 "Early Music Show".

On Monday 8th I shall be broadcasting BBC Radio 4's Daily Service with the BBC Young Choristers of the Year, which will include the first performance of a new carol of mine, "A Tender Shoot". We shall also be recording some tracks for use on BBC Songs of Praise and BBC Radio 2.

On Saturday 13th I shall be playing for a wedding in Stockport.

On Sunday 14th, a new arrangement of mine of "O Holy Night" will be shown on BBC 1 Songs of Praise "Big Sing Christmas" from the Royal Albert Hall. It will be performed by Blake, All Angels and the Songs of Praise Orchestra.

On Sunday 21st I shall be on BBC Songs of Praise Christmas Special, accompanying the BBC Girl Chorister of the Year in a performance of John Rutter's "All things bright and beautiful".

1 September 2008

2008-09-01T13:30:00.000-07:00

I am playing the organ for BBC Daily Service on Monday 1 and Wednesday 3 with the Manchester Chamber Choir.

On Tuesday 2 I am playing and directing on BBC Daily Service with the two BBC Choristers of the Year. We shall also be recording some tracks for Songs of Praise and Aled Jones' "Good Morning Sunday".

On Wednesday 10 I am giving a lunchtime organ recital in Blackburn Cathedral.

On Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 24 I have rehearsals with the Manchester Chamber Choir for a concert on 4th October.

On Saturday 20 I am appearing on BBC Radio 3 Early Music Show, presenting a short feature on the death of Henry Purcell.

On Sunday 28 I am playing the organ for the Sunday services at St Saviour's Church in Stockport.

I am working on a Mass setting and an arrangement of a Christmas Carol for All Angels and Blake to be recorded for BBC Songs of Praise "Big Sing".

1 August

2008-08-06T13:02:00.000-07:00

I am directing and playing on BBC Radio 4 "Daily Service" on Tuesday 5, Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7.

I am Musical Director for an All Angels concert in Cheshire on Wednesday 13 and we shall be rehearsing for 2 days prior to that in London. After that I shall be taking two weeks holiday.

1 July 2008

2008-07-14T11:04:00.000-07:00

I shall be doing BBC Radio 4 Daily Service on Thursday 3, Tuesday 8, and Tuesday 15.

On Friday 11, I shall be giving a concert with All Angels in Llangollen as part of the International Eisteddford.

On Tuesday 29, I shall be MD for Hayley Westenra for a concert for i Tunes in London.

On Wednesday 30, I shall be MD for All Angels in a concert at the Derngate in Northampton.

I am working on some new arrangements and a commission.

1 June 2008

2008-06-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

From 4 June until 23 June, I shall be on tour in Japan as Musical Director for Hayley Westenra. We have 10 concerts in major venues across Japan including Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima and Yokohama.

On Tuesday 24 I am Musical Director for BBC Radio 4's "Daily Service".

On Sunday 29 I shall be Musical Director for All Angels in a concert in Thaxted as part of the Festival there.

I am also completing a Mass setting.

May 2008

2008-05-08T03:29:00.000-07:00

On Friday and Saturday 2 and 3 May, I shall be attended the celebrations for the 120th anniversary of the Guild of Church Musicians of which I am a Fellow and Council member.

On 13 and 14 May, I shall be in Prague recording with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

I am working on BBC Radio 4's "Daily Service" on Monday 19, Monday 26 and Tuesday 27.

1 April 08

2008-04-09T05:20:00.000-07:00

I am touring with All Angels at Coventry Cathedral on Friday 4 and at St Edmunsbury Cathedral on Saturday 5.

I am appearing on BBC "Songs of Praise" from Harrogate on Sunday 6.

I am spending most of the rest of the month writing three new commissioned pieces...a Mass setting, a Valedictory anthem and an organ sonata.

1 March 2008

2008-03-03T02:01:00.000-08:00

On Sunday 2 March I shall be appearing on the "Sunday" programme on BBC Radio 4 in a feature about vicars and organists!

I am directing the music on BBC Radio 4's "Daily Service" On Wednesday 5 and again on Tuesday 25. I shall be playing the organ on Tuesday 11 March.

On Sunday 16 I shall be directing a performance of "Messiah" in New York.

On Good Friday 2 of my orchestral hymn arrangements will be broadcast from St Paul's Cathedral at 7.30pm on BBC Radio 2 with the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Choir of St Paul's Cathedral.

On Sunday 23 I shall be appearing on BBC Radio 3's "The Choir" programme in a feature about congreagational hymn singing. Also my hymn arrangements will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral on "Morning Worship". That afternoon I shall be attending the final service of Alan Thurlow's tenure as organist of Chichester Cathedral.

At the end of the month I start a mini tour with All Angels. We are appearing on Thursday 27 at Edinburgh Corn Exchange; Friday 28 at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and on Saturday 29 at York Minster.

This month I am also working on two new commissions...a Mass setting for Holy Trinity, Coventry, and an anthem for Clayesmore School in Dorset.

I have two new pieces published this month by Encore and one by OUP

February 2008

2008-02-04T05:47:00.000-08:00

On Sunday 3 I am appearing as organist and keyboard player on BBC "Songs of Praise" from Harrogate.

On Monday 4, I shall be recording 5 new scripts for BBC Radio 2 "Pause for Thought" which will be broadcast in the week 11-15 February.

On Thursday 14 and Monday 25 I shall be on BBC Radio 4 "Daily Service".

On Wednesday 20, I shall be directing and accompanying All Angels in a concert at the Buxton Opera House.

I am also working this month on a script for a BBC programme on John Blow.

7 January 2008

2008-01-08T07:03:00.000-08:00

I am doing BBC Radio 4 Daily Service on Tuesday 8, Monday 14 (which is the 80th anniversary programme) and Thursday 31.

In the week of 15th, I am recording a BBC TV Songs of Praise for four days in Harrogate.

On Saturday 19 I am attending the launch of a new Oxford University Press anthem book in London, of which I am one of the composers.

I am also preparing 5 new scripts for BBC Radio 2's Pause for Thought, to be broadcast in February and I am researching a programme on the life and times of John Blow.

On Monday 21 I am involved with some filming for an independent TV company.

On Saturday 26 I shall be running a choral workshop with the Chapel Choir of University College, Oxford.

1 December 2007

2007-11-30T10:08:00.000-08:00

I am giving a Centenary organ recital at Broadbottom Parish Church on Saturday 1 December.

On Advent Sunday, All Angels appear on BBC Songs of Praise singing a new arrangement of mine.

On Saturday 8 December I am appearing on BBC Radio 3 "The Early Music Show" presenting a feature on Francesco Scarlatti.

On Monday 10 I am appearing with All Angels at a private function for HSBC.

On Monday 17 I shall be recording BBC Radio 4's Christmas Morning Service from Wesley's Chapel as Musical Director.

I am organist for BBC Radio 4 Daily Service on 18 December.

I am appearing at Birmingham Town Hall with All Angels on 20 December and again at Huddersfield Town Hall on Saturday 22 December.

On Christmas Day I shall be on BBC Radio 4's Morning Service.

4 November 2007

2007-11-07T14:30:00.000-08:00

Today I am appearing on BBC Songs of Praise and also on BBC Radio 2's "Chorister of the Year" from St Paul's Cathedral.

I am working on some new Christmas arrangements for All Angels.

On Saturday 10 November, my new orchestration for military band of Nimrod will be broadcast on BBC1 from the Royal Albert Hall.

On Thursday 15 I shall be recording a short feature for BBC Radio 3's "Early Music Show" on Francesco Scarlatti.

I have Daily Service on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 28.

From 21 to 23 I shall be musician-in-residence for a Salisbury Diocesan Clergy conference.

On Sunday 25 I shall be playing the piano on BBC Radio 2 "Good Morning Sunday" with Aled Jones.

All Angels' new album is released on Monday 26th.

On the evening of 28th I am directing an All Angels concert at St James Piccadilly in association with Classic FM.

1 October 2007

2007-10-01T03:20:00.000-07:00

This is a very varied month for me. On Friday 5 I am recording BBC Songs of Praise with the BBC Choristers of the Year as part of a programme to mark the 80th birthday of Ken Dodd. It comes from Knotty Ash!

I am Musical Director for BBC Radio 4 Daily Service on Wednesday 10th, Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd, and playing the organ on Tuesday 30th.

On Saturday 27 I shall be taking part in the BBC Radio 2 recording of "Chorister of the Year 2007" which will be broadcast from St Paul's Cathedral. I shall be coaching all the finalists and playing the piano for them.

I am working on a couple of new arrangements for All Angels and doing some orchestration for BBC 1 Festival of Remembrance from the Royal Albert Hall in November.

24 September 2007

2007-09-24T04:36:00.000-07:00

This week I am appearing each day as guest presenter on "Pause for Thought" on BBC Radio 2, which is being broadcast twice daily on the Janice Long and Alex Lester shows.

31 August 2007

2007-08-31T03:09:00.000-07:00

Next week I shall be one of the preliminary judges for the BBC's "Chorister of the Year". On Wednesday 3 I shall be recording "Sunday Half Hour" for Radio 2 with the Manchester Chamber Choir. These will be broadcast on Sundays 16 and 23 September and 21 October.

On Tuesday 11 September I shall be directing and playing in a concert in St James Church, Piccadilly with All Angels...this will be the showcase for their new album which we have just recorded.

On Tuesday 18th I shall be recording 5 scripts for BBC Radio 2's "Pause for Thought" which will be broadcast each day on the Janice Long and Alex Lester shows starting on Monday 24th.

I also have a series of rehearsals with the Manchester Chamber Choir culminating in a concert of unaccompanied music in Christchurch, Didsbury on Saturday 22nd September.

I have just written two new anthems for publication and am working on some arrangements for All Angels for BBC TV's "Songs of Praise".

5 August 2007

2007-08-07T01:52:00.001-07:00

I have just finished recording the new All Angels CD which will be released in the autumn.

I am doing BBC Daily Service on Radio 4 a number of times this month - Wednesday 8th, Monday 13th, Wednesday 15th, Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22, Thursday 23.

On Sunday 12 August I am appearing on BBC 1's "Heaven and Earth" show with the BBC Chorister of the Year.

I am also busy writing two new anthems.

27 June 2007

2007-06-28T11:02:00.001-07:00

I have a busy month ahead with All Angels as we are recording a second album for Universal. The first album has now reached sales of over 300,000.

I shall be in London with "the team" working on arrangements next week, and then on 16 July I fly to Prague for a few days to record all the orchestral backing tracks with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. I then return to London for two weeks to record all the vocals with the girls. The album should be out in the autumn.

On Sunday 8 July I am appearing in a programme on BBC 2 with Aled Jones where we discuss the nation's top 10 hymns.

29 May 2007

2007-05-29T12:43:00.000-07:00

I am off to Rattwig in northern Sweden next week to direct a boys' choir course. Some 400 boys will be on the course and we will be working towards a concert at the end of the course with orchestra including Vivaldi's "Gloria", Mendelssohn "Hear my Prayer" and two of my own pieces.

On Sunday I am filming a BBC TV Songs of Praise special about the nation's top ten hymns. I shall be talking to Aled Jones about each of the hymns chosen by the viewers. This should be broadcast later in the summer.

I have just set a hymn by George Herbert to music to be published by the RSCM in a new hymnal this autumn.

9 May 2007

2007-05-09T10:14:00.001-07:00

The re-issued All Angels album is now available, featuring some new tracks including my arrangement of "Make me a channel of your peace" which was broadcast on BBC 1 at the Festival of Remembrance from the Albert Hall. I directed the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra on these new tracks.

Working on a new composition and some arrangements for All Angels and the BBC.

BBC Daily Service on Wednesday 16 May with Paul Leddington Wright.

Organ recital at St Chad's, Shrewsbury on Friday 18 May.

11 April 2007

2007-04-11T04:36:00.000-07:00

All Angels first album will be re-issued on 23 April with 3 new bonus tracks. We have just heard that the album has been nominated as Album of the Year for the Classical Brit Awards at the Albert Hall on 3 May 2007. Watch this space!!

My hymn arrangements of "There is a Green Hill" and "When I survey the wondrous cross" were broadcast on Radio 2 on Good Friday from St Paul's Cathedral, and performed by the choir of St Paul's and the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Back to Daily Service again next week with Barry Rose (17/04/07) the following Tuesday (24/04/07)and later in the month with the BBC Choristers of the Year (30/04/07).

I have completed a commission for Dartmouth Parish Church...a setting of the Litany with words from Common Worship.

Working now on arrangements for the new All Angels album.

Simon's update

2007-04-02T02:35:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from a week's trip to Vero Beach, Florida where I was working with the church choir on a special Evensong for the Annunciation. A big programme, including Stanford in G canticles and Parry's marvellous epic "Hear my words, ye people" was very well recived by a large congregation at Trinity Church. A great acheivement for the choir too.

I preceeded the service with an organ rectital which seemed to go down well.

Work is also beginning on a new album for All Angels. The last four days have been spent arranging music and doing some preliminary rehearsal with the girls. It looks to be another exciting project!