In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Philip Moore.

Philip Moore

b. 1943

British composer, conductor, and organist, Philip Moore, is known for his glorious music for instrumental and choral ensembles. Born in 1943, he was educated at the Royal College of Music in London where he won the Walford Davies Prize for Organ Playing and the Limpus, Turpin, and Read Prizes in the Royal College of Organists’ exams. He holds a BMus degree from the University of Durham, and more recently was awarded Honorary Fellowships by the Royal School of Church Music, the Guild of Church Musicians, and the Academy of St Cecilia for his services to Church Music. In 2008, the Archbishop of York awarded him the Order of St William, and in 2016 the Archbishop of Canterbury awarded him the Cranmer Award for Worship. He also received an honorary doctorate from the University of York.  After graduation from the RCM, he taught for three years at Eton College, moving to Canterbury Cathedral in 1968 as Assistant Organist to Dr. Allan Wicks. As a composer, he has written primarily music for choir and organ, but also music for chamber ensembles. His larger-scale works include three cantatas as well as a concerto for organ and orchestra.  He has over 400 titles of music for the Church, including carols, anthems, and liturgical music. His music is published by major houses including Oxford University Press, Banks Music Publications, Boosey & Hawkes, Faber Music, and Encore Publications. Recent commissions include Paean for choir and organ, based on the Irish tune “Slane” (Encore) and Veni Creator for choir and organ based on the plainsong melody and written for Guildford Cathedral (Encore).

Suggested Choral Pieces:

1. Lo, God is Here (Faber Music 0571520685)
2. Three Prayers of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Boosey & Hawkes BH 5402355 / BH 5402356 / BH 5402357) 
3. Requiem (Encore Publications 890035) 

For more information about Moore and his work, please visit http://www.philipmooremusic.com/.