Peter Nardone

Areas of Interest

Music

Honorary Award

Honorary Doctor of Arts, 2010

Biography

Peter Nardone is the supremely talented singer, conductor and accompanist who is now the Director of Music at Chelmsford Cathedral; and conductor of The Chelmsford Singers.

Born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, he sang as a boy in Paisley Abbey from the age of 12.

Peter studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, and while he was there, he won a Countess of Munster Scholarship which enabled him to further his study of music as a countertenor for a year at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists and an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music. In June 2009, he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Guild of Church Musicians, and has also worked as a singer and a conductor for the King's Consort, one of the world's leading period instrument orchestras and choirs.

Demonstrating his talent as a countertenor, Peter Nardone has performed in five continents with such groups as The Monteverdi Choir, The Tallis Scholars, The Taverner Choir and The English Concert, spreading his passion for music all over the globe. As a solo singer, he has made over fifty recordings as well as singing in a wide array of internationally-acclaimed venues, including the Sydney Opera House, The Lincoln Centre, and The Wigmore Hall.

In 1986, Peter Nardone moved from Scotland to the South East of England, where he has pursued a career in professional music. In 2000, Peter Nardone was appointed the Director of Music at Chelmsford Cathedral and Artistic Director of the Cathedral Festival.

He works with conductor and composer John Rutter to run fundraising choral workshops, and also lends his support to Anglia Ruskin University's Music Therapy Appeal.

Citation

"Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to read the citation for Peter Nardone for the award of Honorary Doctor of Arts.

Peter Nardone is the supremely talented singer, conductor and accompanist who is now the Director of Music at Chelmsford Cathedral; and conductor of The Chelmsford Singers, a choir at the centre of music making in Chelmsford for the past 80 years.

Born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, he sang as a boy in Paisley Abbey from the age of 12.

Peter studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, and while he was there, he won a Countess of Munster Scholarship which enabled him to further his study of music as a countertenor for a year at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists and an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music. In June 2009, he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Guild of Church Musicians, and has also worked as a singer and a conductor for the King's Consort, one of the world's leading period instrument orchestras and choirs.

Demonstrating his talent as a countertenor, Peter Nardone has performed in five continents with such groups as The Monteverdi Choir, The Tallis Scholars, The Taverner Choir and The English Concert, spreading his passion for music all over the globe. As a solo singer, he has made over fifty recordings as well as singing in a wide array of internationally-acclaimed venues, including the Sydney Opera House, The Lincoln Centre, and The Wigmore Hall.

In 1986, Peter Nardone moved from Scotland to the South East of England, where he has pursued a career in professional music. More recently he has worked in the field of church music and choral conducting and was, until 2000, the conductor of The Croydon Bach Choir and Organist and Master of the Cloisters at Croydon Parish Church.

In 2000, Peter Nardone was appointed the Director of Music at Chelmsford Cathedral and Artistic Director of the Cathedral Festival. During this time he has worked closely with The Very Reverend Peter Judd, The Dean of Chelmsford, to maintain the strong musical tradition at the Cathedral, and with the support of the County and Borough Councils, to build a vision for the future of Music and Arts in the town.

To help realise this vision, Peter gladly accepted the post as conductor of The Chelmsford Singers when it was offered to him in 2004. He works with conductor and composer John Rutter to run fundraising choral workshops, and also lends his support to Anglia Ruskin University's Music Therapy Appeal.

It is clear to see that Peter is a man who has the community close to his heart. His work in local schools, demonstrates this fact. He directed the highly successful Cathedral's Chorister Outreach Programme, and over the past two years had worked with over thirty junior schools throughout the region becoming a mentor to the many children he works with. This wonderful music project has resulted in numerous concerts each involving up to 200 children, as well as the formation of The Chelmsford Young Singers.

Peter still sings and enjoys conducting. He has changed the lives of children and adults alike through his innovative singing and music teaching techniques. It is clear that there are few things more important to him than sharing the passion and joy he derives from his music with others.

It is for his immense contribution to music and the arts that we recognise him today.

Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to present Peter for the award of Doctor of Arts, honoris causa."