ANDREW CARWOOD - Director

Andrew Carwood has a unique career in British music, being one of only a handful of musicians to work as a fully professional solo and consort singer as well as directing his own group at an international level. He was a choral scholar at St John's College, Cambridge under Dr George Guest, a lay clerk at Christ Church, Oxford and Westminster Cathedral, London before holding the post of Director of Music at the Brompton Oratory in London for five years. As a consort singer he has performed with all of the British ensembles both on disc and the concert platform, including The Tallis Scholars, The Orlando Consort, The Oxford Camerata, The Parley of Instruments and Pro Cantione Antiqua, but is also well known for his solo work with conductors such as Roger Norrington, Harry Christophers, Richard Hickox, Paul McCreesh, Philip Herreweghe, Robert King and Christopher Hogwood.

Described as having a 'magnificent' voice by Gramophone magazine, Andrew has a particular interest in the championship of the English repertory, having made the first recording of the orchestral song cycle The Healing Fountain by the late Christopher Headington (with Nicholas Cleobury and the Britten Sinfonia). His discography also includes works by Hassler, Vivaldi, Warlock, Howells, Poulenc and Tippett. As a conductor he works extensively with The Cardinall's Musick who are known for their deeply expressive performances both in the concert hall and on disc. They are currently engaged in a project to record the complete works of William Byrd having carried out an extensive survey of music from the early half of the sixteenth century to great critical acclaim: their latest disc of masses and motets by Tomas Luis da Victoria has just been released. He is known for his work with amateurs as well as professionals, giving masterclasses in the UK and the United States of America, and for being equally at home with large choruses as well as more intimate consorts.