Since 2002 I have been Director of Music at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Manchester. I have a particular interest in the musicological and philosophical relationship between early and modern music — chiefly, between J.S. Bach and Olivier Messiaen.

Andrew Wilshere is Organist and Choirmaster at Holy Trinity Church and Director of the ad-hoc Occasional Consort. His musical life began as a church and Cathedral chorister in Leicester, taking part in tours of Britain and Europe, and singing in a number of local and national radio and television broadcasts, which included a live solo on BBC1. He took up the organ in 2002 and passed Grade 8 with Distinction within two years. Increasingly in demand as a recitalist and accompanist, Andrew recently travelled to New Zealand to direct the music for a theatre event at the University of Otago. He has since been appointed to the Organ Scholarship for 2009 at St Paul's Cathedral, Dunedin.

Having previously graduated in Theology, Andrew recently completed an MA in Middle Eastern Studies. His Masters thesis (which you may download) examined the philosophy of music, liturgy and time, and particularly musical improvisation within Jewish and Christian traditions. During this research he was lucky enough to work with David Briggs. Andrew is now researching for a PhD in philosophy, entitled "Rights and Responsibility: Emmanuel Levinas' Critique of Liberalism". In what little time remains, Andrew works as a Research Assistant at the University of Manchester, and enjoys cycling, eating out, web design, and fine coffee!

You might like to:

• return to the front page;
• view recent and upcoming concerts;
• find out about my compositions;
• or contact me.

Age:

• 23

Education:

• 2002-present: University of Manchester
  • PhD "Rights and Responsibility: Emmanuel Levinas' Critique of Liberalism" (in progress)
  • MA Middle Eastern Studies (Merit)
  • BA (Hons) Religions & Theology (Class I, Centenary Scholar)
• 1995-2002: Loughborough Grammar School
  • (Academic exhibition)
  • 4 A-Levels (A A A A [A])
  • 9 GCSEs: (A* A* A A A A B B B)

Employment:

• 2002-present: Director of Music, Holy Trinity Church, Blackley
• 2006-present: Research and teaching assistant, University of Manchester

Music:

• Organ
  • Preparing for DipABRSM
  • ABRSM Grade 8 (Distinction), 2004
• Singing
  • RSCM: St Nicolas' Award; Bishop's Award; Provost's Award; etc.

Other:

• 2006-present: Volunteer, Holy Trinity Primary School, Blackley
• 2000-2002: Volunteer, John Storer House, Loughborough
• 2000-2002: Volunteer, IT/Design, Evington Echo (local newspaper)
• 2000: Work experience, Waterfall Holdings plc (built company website)
• Full UK/EU driving licence (clean)