Liverpool Philharmonic appoints new director of choirs

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic has appointed a new director of choirs and singing to lead the work of the RLP Choir and other choruses.

Matthew Hamilton takes over from Ian Tracey who retires this summer after 38 seasons as chorusmaster at Hope Street.

The new director of choirs and singing role will be responsible for the quality of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic choirs and their performance and, alongside chief conductor Domingo Hindoyan, will lead on the artistic development of choral activity.

Hamilton is currently chorus master at the Hallé in Manchester and will hold his new role at Liverpool concurrently with his position there.

He is also musical director of the New London Chamber Choir. He was previously associate director at London Symphony Chorus and has also worked as a guest conductor with leading orchestras and the BBC Singers.

He read music at Oxford before studying at the University of Manchester and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Above: Matthew Hamilton. Top: The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir with the RLPO at Spirit of Christmas

He said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Liverpool Philharmonic as director of choirs and singing. This role encompasses all vocal activity across the organisation, on stage, across the family of youth choirs into the community, and to have such an approach to singing is visionary and inspirational.

“I’m very excited to get to work with the singers who are already here, as well as encouraging anyone in Liverpool who has a passion for using their voice to become part of the journey with us.”

Chief executive Michael Eakin added: “After an extensive search we’re delighted Matthew Hamilton will join the company and be instrumental in helping us to deliver our singing strategy.”

The Liverpool Philharmonic Choir was formed in 1840 with the birth of the Liverpool Philharmonic Society and received its ‘Royal’ title in 1990.

It draws members from across the region and performs in a number of concerts each season as well as in the Spirit of Christmas concert series. The choir has also made a number of acclaimed recordings and broadcasts over the years.