director of music

The music at St. Alphege has been sustained through a long period of stability and continuity. Nigel Stark was appointed in 2002, and his immediate two predecessors were both in post for around 30 years. The Organists, Master of Choristers and Directors of Music at St. Alphege can be traced back to the 18th Century:

1773 Mr Joseph or Joshua Weston

1804 Mr Moore

1820? Miss Jane Fletcher

1847 Dr Stephen Hatherley

1856 Mr Thomas Anderton

1879 Mr Bond

1880 Mr DeLancy

1886 Mr Courtenay Woods

1936 Mr Monk

1942 Dr Richard Wassell (formerly organist of St Martin in the Bull Ring)

1949 Mr O'Feeley

1951 Mr Colin Mann

1970 Mr Paul Hammond

1971 Mr Peter M Gregory

2002 Mr Nigel A Stark

Nigel comes originally from Chester where he studied piano, and later organ, with Roger Fisher at Chester Cathedral. He obtained his first post as organist at the age of fourteen.

Before moving to Portsmouth in 1996 he was Director of Music at St. Michael's Church Bishop's Stortford, conductor of The Bishop's Stortford Choral Society, Musical Director of the Harlow Opera Company, and founder and director of "Serenata", a small professional vocal ensemble. He also ran his own piano tuning and restoration business at the same time.

Before Nigel took up his post as Musical Director at St. Alphege at Easter 2003, he was Director of Music at St. Mary's, Portsea and Head of St. Mary's Music Foundation which was formed to provide musical opportunities and education for children from the local 'Urban Priority Area' through membership of the church choir and free instrumental tuition. The foundation also provided training for Church musicians of the future in the form of organ scholarships for young people.

Whilst in Portsea Nigel was accompanist and assistant Conductor of the Portsmouth Choral Union, and the Portsmouth Festival Choir, and has featured as a soloist in many of their concerts.

As a pianist Nigel has appeared many times both locally and nationally accompanying solo singers and instrumentalists. He has given many organ recitals both here and abroad and enjoys playing continuo on organ piano or harpsichord. He has appeared on BBC Radio and Television.

Nigel has been Conductor of the Royal Leamington Spa Bach Choir since 2003

Nigel is an Associate of the Royal College of Organists, and holds the Diploma in Choral Directing and the degree of MA (distinction) in Organ Historiography from Reading University. He is a member of the council of the British Institute of Organ Studies (BIOS) and a Historic Organs Certificate Inspector.

Contact Nigel by email or call him on 0121 705 1074 or 07792 276046.

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