Contact
Send Email to Philip Lawson
Academic Qualifications:
1979: BA (Hons.) in Music, York University (2:1) with Choral Scholarship to York Minster Choir, specialising in Composition (Wilfrid Mellers), Organ (Peter Seymour), and Singing (Yvonne Seymour). Founder/conductor of the York University Motet Choir. Grade 8 Piano
Work History
Professional singer
1994-2012: First baritone with The King's Singers:
• Almost 2,000 live concert performances in countries spread over four continents;
• Over 100 live and recorded radio and television broadcasts;
• 25 commercial CD and DVD recordings;
• 2009 Grammy Award winner for CD "Simple Gifts";
• 2010 MIDEM Award winner for "The King's Singers: Live at the BBC Proms" DVD.
1982-1993: Bass Lay Clerk, Salisbury Cathedral Choir
1979-1993: Freelance soloist and consort singer:
• performed with many of the top ensembles of the day, including the BBC Singers, The Sixteen, The Taverner Choir, CM90;
• deputised regularly for the choirs of Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral and St. Paul's Cathedral. Lay Clerk at Southwark Cathedral.
Education
1994-2012: The King's Singers Masterclasses:
• over 300 masterclasses and workshops conducted in schools and universities throughout the world, including at Notre Dame, Duke, and Michigan State universities in the USA
• sustained a biennial teaching post as part of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival in Germany;
• Prince Consort Ensemble in Residence at the Royal College of Music;
1989-1993: Director of Music, Chafyn Grove Preparatory School, Salisbury:
• Directing all the school ensembles, choirs, orchestras and bands;
• Running the Music Department, including the hiring and firing of staff, administrative duties, strategy and co-ordination;
• Also taught Geography, Religious Studies, Science and coached sports.
Composing and Arranging
1997-2012: Principal arranger for The King's Singers.
• Over 50 arrangements published by Hal Leonard Corporation in the USA;
• 10 arrangements included on the 2009 Grammy Award-winning album, "Simple Gifts";
• Co-ordinator of The King's Singers Choral Series of publications in the USA, assisting with editing, proof-reading, royalties and copyright.
1991-present day: Freelance composer and arranger.
• Around 75 works published by Hal Leonard Corporation, Walton Music, Boosey and Hawkes, Morningstar Music, Alliance, Pavane Publishing, Lorenz, Banks Music, Encore Publications and Schoolplay Productions.
Business and Commercial
1994-2012: Director, KS Music Co. Ltd.; Director, IN Visible, Inc.
1995-2008: Managing Partner, The King's Singers:
• Acted as book-keeper for the Partnership;
• Controlled finance, investment and payroll;
• Liaised with accountants in USA and UK in preparation of annual accounts.
2008-2012: Librarian and UK Archivist for The King's Singers:
• Catalogued and archived over 3,000 musical titles, programme histories and performance details.
1989-present day: Sole administrator, Gard Books:
• New and second-hand music dealership, specialising in choral and organ music, sustaining trade accounts with all major UK publishing houses.
Personal
When not touring with The King's Singers I assist my wife as best I can with the bringing up of our three daughters, but sadly none of them has inherited my passion for soccer! I am also keen on things as diverse as chess, Real Ale, church architecture, trains, poetry and Napoleonic History. I also consider composing and arranging as a hobby, because I enjoy it so much!
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