Musical Director
Paul Stanhope
Paul Stanhope took up his appointment as Musical Director of Sydney Chamber Choir in April 2006. Since joining the group as a chorister in 1995, he has conducted the Choir on a number of occasions, including a memorable shared concert with the Finnish choir Kampin Laulu in 2003. Paul has also been a guest conductor with Cantillation, notably on tour for Musica Viva’s CountryWide program and in the Sydney Symphony’s Shock of the New concerts. In 2005 he created a new vocal ensemble, Vokal, as part of Musica Viva’s Ménage series, and he has also collaborated frequently with Sydney Children’s Choir and Gondwana Voices, both as a composer and conductor.
Conducting activities in 2006 included a collaborative concert between Sydney Children’s Choir and the Danish Radio National Girls Choir, and a program of contemporary music with the Sydney-based Sonic Art Ensemble.
Paul is also a noted composer. A former student of Peter Sculthorpe at the University of Sydney, he later studied at the Guildhall School of Music in London. In 2004 his work was recognised internationally when he was awarded first place in the prestigious Toru Takemitsu Composition Award. His music featured in the opening ceremony of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.