Welcome

Composer

Paul Hayward is an experienced and qualified musician. He holds several degrees and diplomas, including a Master of Music degree in composition from the University of Aberdeen, and the rarely-awarded Fellowship of the Guild of Church Musicians by examination - a master's level qualification showing expertise in the history of church music and liturgy alongside practical skills. He is currently studying for a PhD in music composition at the University of Aberdeen, having been awarded a Carlaw-Ogston Scholarship. Paul studies with Royal Wedding composer Professor Paul Mealor as well as Dr Phillip Cooke. His works have been heard around the UK and further afield, especially at St Wulfram's Church, Grantham, where he held the post of composer-in-residence for two years. 

Conductor

As a conductor, Paul studied on the Association of British Choral Directors' course for advanced conductors with Peter Broadbent, Neil Ferris and other tutors, resulting in the award of the LRSM in choral conducting. He has been at the helm of choirs of differing sizes and abilities, and currently directs the Ruddington and District Choral Society as well as being the assistant musical director for the Cranmer Company of Singers chamber choir. He has directed large number of works with choirs, soloists and orchestras, including Mendelssohn's Elijah, Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, Bach's Magnificat and Haydn's Nelson Mass. Paul has also led a number of 'come and sing' events on works such as Handel's Messiah, Faure's Requiem and Mozart's ​Coronation Mass.

Paul lives and works in the East Midlands.

General Background

Before concentrating on work as a professional composer and conductor, Paul was a successful organist, having been the Assistant Organist at Brecon Cathedral and the Assistant Director of Music at Nottingham RC Cathedral. He has accompanied a number of choirs including the Cranmer Company of Singers chamber choir, for which he is also the assistant musical director. An experienced chamber musician, Paul has played continuo in early music works, including a performance of Handel's Theodora with Brecon Cathedral Choir and Rachel Podger's Brecon Baroque, and has played harmonium/celesta in chamber arrangements of works such as Mussorgsky's Pictures at an exhibition and Mahler's Fourth symphony. He has given recitals at cathedrals and major churches around the UK, been part of television and radio broadcasts, CD recordings, as well as playing for concerts, tours and a royal visit. His organ tutors have included John Keys, Colin Walsh and David Briggs.

Qualifications

Current Appointments
  • MMus in choral composition | University of Aberdeen
  • BMus(Hons) | University of Wales, Bangor​
  • FGCM by examination | The Guild of Church Musicians
  • LRSM in choral conducting | Royal Schools of Music
  • LTCL with distinction in organ performance | Trinity College, London
  • ALCM with merit in composition | London College of Music
  • ARCO | Royal College of Organists

Skills

  • Conducting, choral direction and choir training​
  • Composition, arranging and orchestration​
  • Music typesetting and publishing
  • "Come and sing" events and choral workshops
  • Conducting teaching and coaching
  • Choral music and church music in general
  • The music of the English church, roughly between Taverner and Purcell, and the relationship between music and liturgy in this period
  • Liturgical chant, especially Gregorian Chant and plainsong
  • Musical Director | Ruddington and District Choral Society​
  • Organist and Assistant Director of Music | The Cranmer Company of Singers Chamber Choir

Selected Previous Appointments

  • Composer-in-residence | St Wulfram's Church, Grantham
  • Assistant Director of Music and Conductor of the Cathedral Youth Choir | St Barnabas RC Cathedral, Nottingham​
  • Assistant Organist and teacher of theory and piano | Brecon Cathedral with Christ College, Brecon
  • Musical Director | The Chesterfield Bach Choir
  • Keyboardist and Guest Conductor | saraBande chamber ensemble
  • Previous holder of cathedral organ and choral scholarships
Paul's organ recitals are kindly supported by listings on OrganRecitals.com 
and his harpsichord recitals by The British Harpsichord Society (www.harpsichord.org.uk)
All material on this site is © Copyright Paul Hayward 2020.
Paul Hayward MMus FGCM LRSM LTCL ALCM ARCO