Mr. Stopford will present an evening of Choral Techniques, Monday November 18, 2013 from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM. He will use a variety of he own Choral Compositions as a tool to demonstrate these Techniques. Each Participant will receive a packet of Stopford Anthems.
He will have his most popular CD's available for sale and autograph them following the session.
This is a joint meeting of the AGO Philadelphia and Southeastern PA Chapters, the ACMP, and the Archdiocesan Choir of Philadelphia. The workshop and packet are free to members of any of these groups. Guests may also sign up at a Fee of $30.00 which includes the packet. REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR ALL, members and non-members is MONDAY, November 11, 2013.
The Cathedral Basilica of SS Peter and Paul is at North 18th Street at Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Limited FREE Parking is available at the Cathedral Basilica by entering the cathedral lot at the 17th Street entrance.
PHILIP STOPFORD Biography
Philip began his musical career as a Chorister at
Westminster Abbey under the direction of both Simon Preston and Martin Neary. After winning a major Music Scholarship to Bedford School, he became Organ Scholar at
Truro Cathedral, the original home of the Nine Lessons and Carols Service, playing the organ for services and taking Probationer Chorister rehearsals. Whilst in Truro, Philip composed a setting of the Responses which later won the Federation of Old Choristers' Composition Prize. He also played the organ for the wedding of of the Organist and Master of the Choristers, Andrew Nethsingha.
Philip went on to
Oxford University to study music at
Keble College, where he was also Organ Scholar. At Keble, he was responsible for recruiting and directing the Chapel Choir, and made two recordings. Lux Mundi (light of the world) was followed by one volume of the Priory series Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis. Philip also directed performances of the St John Passion and B Minor Mass, and the chamber choir Musica Beata.
In 1999 to 2000 Philip was appointed Organ Scholar at
Canterbury Cathedral, working with David Flood and Timothy Noon, and then moved to
Chester Cathedral as Assistant Organist.
Philip was appointed Director of Music at
St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast in January 2003, taking charge of the recruitment and training of the choir and directing the choir at Cathedral services. The Centenary of the Consecration of the Cathedral was celebrated in 2004 with a busy year of additional special services and events. In 2007, the choir was pivotal in celebrating the Consecration if the Spire of Hope. The Cathedral Choirs recorded three CDs under Philip's direction - Mysterium (Christmas Music) Celtic Inspirations and a volume of Hymns for Priory Records. The choir also broadcast live on BBC Radio 4, and featured in two Songs of Praise programmes from the Cathedral. The annual Summer Concert was a highlight of the year along with the popular Nine Lessons and Carols each Christmas. Mr. Stopford was commissioned to compose The Spirit of the Lord for the installation of Archbishop Charles Chaput in Philadelphia, Sept 2011. He conducted over 200 singers in the Philadelphia Archdiocesan Choral Festival last November, 2012.