Spelthorne Choral Society

Musicians

Peter Beaven

Peter Beaven - Conductor

Peter Beaven studied at Trinity College of Music, London with Dr. Harry Gabb, Charles Proctor and James Gaddarn. He was then, for thirteen years a member of the academic staff of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he taught organ and musicianship. He numbers many professional keyboard players, singers and teachers as past pupils, many of whom have gone on to hold prestigious appointments in the world of music.

His extensive work with church music included eleven happy and successful years as Director of Music at Chiswick Parish Church, known throughout London for its musical tradition.

Peter was Music Director of the Carlo Curley Gala Christmas Concerts in London, two of which were broadcast, the first of which was the first live Christmas Concert to be heard on, the then fledgling, Classic FM.

Peter was, for two years, Assistant Director and Senior conducting clinician of the St Paul's Experience, a widely acclaimed, and prestigious International Summer School for organists, choral directors and choral singers, held at St Paul's Cathedral, London. He sang with and was, for many years, Assistant Director of the Wren Singers of London and also had the distinction of being, for several years, a Deputy Vicar Choral at St Paul’s Cathedral.

He currently is conductor of the Spelthorne Choral Society (formerly Ashford Choral Society), a post he has held since May 1989. Peter, in collaboration with Carlo Curley, recorded a highly successful CD in 1997 with Ashford Choral Society entitled Joy to the World.

A diverse musician, he has had many of his compositions and arrangements performed throughout the UK in concerts and broadcasts on Classic FM and BBC Radio 2.

He was also commissioned to write a Eucharistic setting for the ECUSA Book of Common Prayer and has more recently been commissioned by the Diocese of New York to compose music for Holy Week. He was an adviser to Oxford University Press for their OUP Book of Easy Anthems, published in 2002.

Peter was appointed Organist and Director of Music of The Royal Memorial Chapel, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in March 2002 and in the same year was honoured by receiving Fellowships of both the Royal Society of Arts and of the Guild of Musicians and Singers. The first recording of the Royal Memorial Chapel Choir and organ under his direction, entitled ‘Serve to Lead’, was released in October 2004.

2008/9 concert appearances included a Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony with the Pelly Concert Orchestra, which he maintains was the worst fee he has ever received, and organ recitals in Woking and at Magdalen College, Oxford. He also accompanied the newly formed Surrey Voices at their debut concert at which he played duos with Carlo Curley.

Peter was privileged in being elected a member of the Royal Society of Musicians in January in 2009 and in the same month he recorded ‘A Sandhurst Christmas Collection’ with the Royal Memorial Chapel Choir (www.christchurchsingers.org), shortly before the choir’s highly successful tour of New York City and State.

Peter’s web site www.beaven.org.uk

Click this link to see details of all concerts by SCS conducted by Peter.