Musical Director - Edwin Hillier
Edwin Hillier is a Glasgow Âbased conductor, composer and baritone. He studied Music at the University of Cambridge, where he was a choral scholar, conductor of Christ’s College Music Society, and received regular tuition as part of Stephen Layton’s weekly seminar course in choral conducting. He then embarked on two years as a professional singer with the Choir of Gloucester Cathedral, studying with Giles Underwood and Robert Dean. During this time he performed regularly as a soloist, in works including Israel in Egypt and the St John Passion with Bristol Choral Society and Bernstein’s Mass with the BBC National Chorus of Wales at the 2012 BBC Proms.
Edwin was awarded a scholarship to study for a Masters in Composition at the Royal College of Music (RCM) with Jonathan Cole and Kenneth Hesketh, graduating with Distinction in June 2014. His studies were generously supported by both the Ralph Vaughan Williams Trust and the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Edwin returned to the RCM in September 2014 to commence doctoral studies in Composition whilst holding the position of Composer Âin ÂResidence at Handel House for 2014Â-15. His works have been performed by artists and ensembles including the London Sinfonietta, Tête à Tête Opera, Lore Lixenberg, and recorded on the NMC Record Label.
Edwin has worked extensively as a choral conductor and vocal animateur. He held the position of Director of Music at St Michael’s Church, Camden Town between 2013-Â15. Committed to outreach and education work, he has worked widely as a workshop leader with young people, as Head of Singing for Five Valleys Music Centre (Gloucestershire Music), and as a conductor of primary choirs across north London. He is currently on the staff of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Junior Department, teaching at MusicWorks, Stirling.
Choral scholar - Colin Murray - Bass
Colin Murray is currently studying for an MMus in Vocal Performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, studying with Scottish baritone George Gordon. Colin is an accomplished concert soloist and choral singer, originally training through the National Youth Choir of Scotland system. In 2014/15, he was the recipient of the ‘Rising Star Award’ from the John Mather charitable trust and is currently the proud recipient of the Robertson Trust scholarship for 2015/16 academic session supporting the continuation of his studies.
Colin has performed in numerous opera productions during his time with the Conservatoire, most notably performing ‘Don Alfonso’ in Mozart’s ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’, ‘Bartolo’ in Mozart’s ‘Le nozze di Figaro’ and ‘Ford’ in Vaughan-Williams’ ‘Sir John in Love’. Outside the RCS, he has performed the role of ‘Sprecher’ in Mozart’s ‘Die Zauberflöte’ with the Woodhouse Opera Festival in 2014 and has featured as a touring principal with the student-lead company ‘Raucous Rossini’: performing the principle roles of ‘Tobia Mill’ in ‘Cambiale di Matrimonio’ and ‘Tarabotto’ in the Scottish premier of ‘L’inganno Felice’ in the company’s inaugural two years, touring Britain and Italy.
Colin has also sung the baritone roles in many iconic choral works, including Orff’s Carmina Burana, Mozart and Faure’s Requiems, Handel’s Messiah and Goodall’s Eternal Light Requiem, in such venues as Oxford’s Exeter college chapel, Glasgow’s City Halls and St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh. He is also the recipient of a choral scholarship with the choir of Paisley Abbey.