Philip W. J. Stopford

b. 1977

Philip W. J. Stopford began his musical career as a Chorister at Westminster Abbey under the direction of both Simon Preston and Martin Neary. After winning a major Music Scholarship to Bedford School, he became Organ Scholar at Truro Cathedral, playing the organ for services and taking Probationer Chorister rehearsals. While in Truro, Philip composed a setting of the Responses which later won the Federation of Old Choristers' Composition Prize.

After leaving Bedford School, Stopford studied music at Keble College, Oxford. Upon graduating, Philip was appointed Organ Scholar at Canterbury Cathedral before moving to Chester Cathedral as Assistant Organist. In 1999 to 2000 Philip was appointed Organ Scholar at Canterbury Cathedral, and then moved to Chester Cathedral as Assistant Organist. Philip was appointed Director of Music at St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast in January 2003. The Cathedral Choirs recorded three CDs under Philip's direction: Mysterium (Christmas Music), Celtic Inspirations, and a volume of Hymns for Priory Records.

In September 2015, Philip was appointed Composer in Residence at Christ Church, Bronxville, just outside New York City. A temporary post of four months has become a full time job, and Philip is now Director of Music at the church, working with the Church Choir and Young At Arts children's choral and theatrical programme. Philip will also continue to offer workshop and concert performances, and periodically accepts new commissions from choirs across the globe.