Musical Directors

Simon was head chorister at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford and has remained connected with choirs ever since. When organ scholar at Hertford College, Oxford he directed both the chapel choir and choral society. It was as Assistant Organist at Farnborough Abbey that he first came into contact with Voci Cantanti, when he sang tenor with them for two years.

After six years at Trent College, Nottingham as Organist and Choirmaster, he was appointed to Wellington College as Organist and Choral Director to oversee all singing tuition and direct their three choirs. The Wellington College Chamber Choir has progressed from strengh to strength, touring, recording and singing at numerous Cathedrals in the south of England.

Simon Williamson is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists and is in constant demand as both an accompanist (organ and piano), singer and teacher.

Paul's musical education began at the age of 7 as a chorister at Bradford Cathedral. After attending Bradford Grammar School he read music at the University of Nottingham whilst receiving vocal lessons from James Griffett and Jane McDouall. It was here that he first became interested in conducting, founding and directing the Viva Voce Chamber Choir and leading them on a tour of Eastern Europe in 1997.

After graduating from Nottingham, Paul attended Reading University where he trained for his PGCE. He won the 1997 BT Initiation Award for conducting and was appointed conducting scholar of the Reading Bach Choir.

Paul has been lucky enough to tour throughout Europe, both as a singer and conductor. He has performed in most major concert venues and cathedrals throughout Britain, and in 1996 sang for Pope John Paul II during Mass in St Peter's, Rome.

He is now Director of Music at Charters School, Ascot, a post that he took up in September 2001. Paul has been a member of Voci Cantanti since 1998. His more familiar role within the choir is as a member of the tenor section.