CONDUCTING BIO:
Paul Stanhope is a composer, educator and conductor, who is becoming increasingly
known for his skills directing elite–level choirs and instrumental ensembles. In
addition to his busy composition commitments, he is also a frequent guest conductor
and chorus-master with a number of ensembles based in Sydney. In 2005 Paul conducted
Cantillation on a Musica Viva tour of Northern
NSW and the Blue Mountains. He also conducted this group in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra's
Shock of the New program in the concert hall of the Sydney Opera House, in
which he also acted as chorusmaster for Maestro Gelmetti. In the same year Paul also
formed a new group Vokál which had its inaugural concert at Sydney's
Trackdown Studios as part of Musica Viva's Menage series. This year Paul conducted
Cantillation and Sinfonia Australis on an ABC Classics recording of George Palmer's
Christmas Mass.
In 2006 Paul became the musical director of the Sydney Chamber Choir,
one of Australia's most established small choral outfits. Having joined this group
in 1995 as a tenor, Paul has gone on to collaborate with this group in many ways,
including conducting his own Geography Songs on a CD recording, and conducting
them on many occasions since 2001, including a memorable combined concert with the
Finnish group Kampin Laulu in 2003. In February 2007, Paul prepared the choir
for a joint performance with the Tallis Scholars of Thomas Tallis' monumental 40
part motet Spem in Alium to great acclaim.
In addition to these groups, Paul has been guest conductor for Gondwana Voices, Sydney
Children's Choir, the Sonic Art Ensemble and the Australia Ensemble.
RECENT REVIEWS:
"The sounds were unusual for their juxtaposition,
interestingly worked out and superbly realised and co-ordinated by the Sydney Chamber
Choir under the direction of Paul Stanhope. Cumulatively, this was an afternoon of
considerable promise stupendously realised."
David Gyger, Opera-Opera Magazine, May 2007, p.14.
"Exclusively pious was the top-notch concert
by the 28-voice Sydney Chamber Choir, conducted with committed attention to detail
by Paul Stanhope."
Fred Blanks, North Shore Times, 13 April 2007
