Andrew Wilshere, Freelance Musician

Credentials

Biography

My 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. I took up the organ in 2002 as a way of continuing my musical pursuits during my university studies in theology and philosophy, which are ongoing. I passed Grade 8 with Distinction within two years; I have since attained the DipABRSM diploma, and am working towards the LTCL diploma, which I plan to take in 2012.

Between 2002 and 2011, I worked as Director of Music at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Manchester, where I focused on building up the parish choir's number and repertoire, inaugurated a junior choir, and ran a popular series of free Sunday afternoon concerts. In 2009, I spent a year's sabbatical as Organ Scholar of St Paul's Cathedral, New Zealand, a role I combined with that of Sub-warden at Selwyn College, University of Otago. 

I have an enthusiasm for composition, and am particularly interested in writing original music that is suitable for an everyday parish choir. You can download some of my pieces for free here. During my time in New Zealand, a number of my compositions were performed by the cathedral choir and others.

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Curriculum Vitae

Age: 27

Education:

  • 2002-present: University of Manchester
    • PhD Political Philosophy (pending)
    • MA Middle Eastern Studies
    • BA (Hons) Religions & Theology
  • Employment:

    • 2002-2011: Director of Music, Holy Trinity Church, Blackley
    • 2009: Organ Scholar, St Paul's Cathedral, Dunedin, New Zealand
    • 2006-present: Research and teaching assistant, University of Manchester
    • 2009: Sub-warden, Selwyn College, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    Music training:

    • Organ: DipABRSM; preparing for LTCL
    • Singing: All RSCM awards

    Other:

    • 2009: Music volunteer, St Hilda's Collegiate School, Dunedin, New Zealand
    • 2006-2008: Music volunteer, Holy Trinity Primary School, Blackley, Manchester

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