The Composer and Organist Philip Stopford – born 1977
The Composer and Organist Philip Stopford – born 1977
Stopford began his musical career as a chorister at Westminster Abbey. He then won a musical scholarship to Bedford School and subsequently becoming Organ Scholar at Truro Cathedral between 1995 and 1996.
In 1996 Stopford won a place to study music at Keble College Oxford and graduated in 1999. Whilst at Oxford he became Organ Scholar at Keble College and also Directed the College Chapel Choir.
After graduating in 1999 Stopford became Organ Scholar at Canterbury Cathedral where he accompanied the Cathedral Choir. He also sang with them on occasions, as a Counter Tenor. He then moved to Chester Cathedral as Assistant Organist where he remained until 2002.
2003 saw Stopford appointed Director of Music at St Ann’s Cathedral in Belfast, and as a result he became the youngest Anglican Cathedral Organist at the time. He spent seven years working at Belfast Cathedral and then in 2010 left to become a freelance composer and conductor. As a freelance composer he had notable success in the 'Classic FM Hall of Fame' in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
In 2015 Stopford, at the age of 38, moved to Christ Church Bronxville, just outside New York City, where he is, at the time of writing in 2018, Director of Music at the Church.
Sanderstead Singers sang one of his best-known compositions ‘Do not be afraid’ at Chester Cathedral in 2018. An excerpt from a recording of this service can be found on the Chester Cathedral page of our website.
2003 saw Stopford appointed Director of Music at St Ann’s Cathedral in Belfast, and as a result he became the youngest Anglican Cathedral Organist at the time. He spent seven years working at Belfast Cathedral and then in 2010 left to become a freelance composer and conductor. As a freelance composer he had notable success in the 'Classic FM Hall of Fame' in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
In 2015 Stopford, at the age of 38, moved to Christ Church Bronxville, just outside New York City, where he is, at the time of writing in 2018, Director of Music at the Church.
Sanderstead Singers sang one of his best-known compositions ‘Do not be afraid’ at Chester Cathedral in 2018. An excerpt from a recording of this service can be found on the Chester Cathedral page of our website.
Acknowledgement – Information about Philip Stopford has been taken from the MorningStar Music Publishing website and the Composer's website.
Copyright © Sanderstead Singers
. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Sanderstead Singers
. All rights reserved.