Paul Hayward
www.paulhayward.org
Conductor and composer
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BiographyPaul Hayward (b. 1984) is a versatile and experienced Midlands-based conductor and composer. He is currently studying for a part-time PhD in composition at the University of Aberdeen with Professor Paul Mealor, having been awarded a Carlaw-Ogston scholarship by the University. Paul had an active career in church and cathedral music for many years, including organ and choral scholarships, and two assistant cathedral organist positions. This included a Roman Catholic cathedral where the choir performed Gregorian Chant Propers each Sunday, which is still a major influence in his musicianship and compositional style. Paul now spends his time as a freelance conductor and composer, looking after four choirs in the Midlands and being associated with a number of other musical groups, as well as running workshops and “come-and-sing” events.
Paul read music at the University of Wales, Bangor, before undertaking postgraduate study in choral composition at the University of Aberdeen. He also holds a number of diplomas in conducting, performance and composition, including the rarely-awarded Fellowship of the Guild of Church Musicians (FGCM) by examination, covering topics such as the history and practice of church music and liturgy, alongside practical skills. As an organist, Paul played for services, concerts and tours, as well as a royal visit, CD recordings and several broadcasts. He has accompanied choirs of all levels and genres, from community choirs to cathedral choirs. He still occasionally gives recitals and performs in concerts as an instrumentalist, and is one of the team of regular organists giving recitals at Blenheim Palace. As an accompanist, this association with choral music of all types laid the groundwork for a career focusing on conducting. In an average week as a conductor, Paul now rehearses music from a wide variety of genres, from early vocal music to songs from the shows, classical to folk and pop, each approached with enthusiasm, skill, and an eye for detail. Paul has a special natural affinity with amateur choirs, who he helps to grow in musicality and proficiency through an approach twinning hard work and a sense of humour. He honed his conducting skills on the Association of British Choral Directors’ course for advanced conductors, with Neil Ferris, Peter Broadbent and other tutors. Recent pieces conducted include Mendelssohn’s ‘Elijah’, Purcell’s ‘Dido and Aeneas’ and Bach’s ‘Magnificat’ – all with orchestras and soloists. Paul holds the Licentiateship of the Royal Schools of Music (LRSM) in choral directing. Paul’s compositional style focuses on music for voices, usually unaccompanied works but often with organ, strings or a variety of solo instruments. He describes it as “modern monastic” meaning that if his music was taken back in time, some of the techniques would have been recognised by monks or nuns who were improvising vocal lines, providing drones and pedal notes, as well as using the concept of organum. Paul uses harmonies based on the 4th and 5th degrees of the scale, rather than traditional triads. Since 2022, Paul has been self-publishing music on his website, with a number of works being available free of charge. His music has been sung by choirs around the world, and he regularly writes new compositions and commissions. |
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List of qualifications
MMus - Master of Music in composition by research - University of Aberdeen.
BMus(Hons) - Bachelor of Music with honours - University of Wales, Bangor.
FBS - Fellow - The Burgon Society. (Research area: Academic dress of the University of Bristol)
FGCM - Fellow by examination - The Guild of Church Musicians.
LRSM - Licentiate in choral direction - The Royal Schools of Music.
LTCL - Licentiate in organ performance with distinction - Trinity College, London.
ALCM - Associate in composition with merit- London College of Music.
ARCO - Associate - The Royal College of Organists.
DipMusComp - Diploma in composing and arranging with upper distinction - The Independent Contemporary Music Awards.
BMus(Hons) - Bachelor of Music with honours - University of Wales, Bangor.
FBS - Fellow - The Burgon Society. (Research area: Academic dress of the University of Bristol)
FGCM - Fellow by examination - The Guild of Church Musicians.
LRSM - Licentiate in choral direction - The Royal Schools of Music.
LTCL - Licentiate in organ performance with distinction - Trinity College, London.
ALCM - Associate in composition with merit- London College of Music.
ARCO - Associate - The Royal College of Organists.
DipMusComp - Diploma in composing and arranging with upper distinction - The Independent Contemporary Music Awards.
Website contents © Paul Hayward 2023. All rights reserved.
Last update: Monday 20th March 2023.
Last update: Monday 20th March 2023.