London Symphony Chorus

London Symphony Orchestra and London Symphony Chorus announce the appointment of Simon Halsey as Chorus Director

The London Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphony Chorus announce the appointment of Simon Halsey as LSC Chorus Director and LSO Choral Director from August 2012.

Simon Halsey is one of the world's leading conductors of choral repertoire. Halsey holds the position of Chief Conductor of the Berlin Radio Choir, frequently collaborating with such conductors as
Sir Simon Rattle and Claudio Abbado. He was also recently announced as Artistic Director of the Berlin Philharmonic's Youth Choral Programme as well as Director of the BBC Proms Youth Choir. Based near Birmingham, Halsey continues in his long-standing position as Chorus Director of the CBSO Chorus, and will soon take up a part-time professorship at the University of Birmingham.

As the London Symphony Chorus Choral Director, Mr Halsey will take responsibility for all the Chorus's work from 1 August 2012. The appointment will also enable the London Symphony Orchestra to develop its choral activity, from the LSO Discovery Youth and Community Choirs at LSO St Luke's and the LSO's Singing Days, which offer the public the opportunity to join in choral activities related to the LSO's season repertoire.

Valery Gergiev, LSO Principal Conductor said: 'I am thrilled about Simon's appointment. We've worked together many times elsewhere and I've been very happy to work with him on the recent Stravinsky project. I look forward to a very special partnership with him.'

James Warbis, Chairman of LSC said: 'On behalf of the London Symphony Chorus, I am thrilled that we have been able to appoint Simon Halsey as our Chorus Director. Simon is a world champion of Choral Music and with this appointment, the Chorus can build on its formidable experience and deliver the very best music-making in partnership with the LSO, with whom we are proud and privileged to work.'

Simon Halsey said: 'What an opportunity! The London Symphony Chorus is one of the world’s finest choirs and it's a group that I hold dear because they were encouraging to me as a student assistant to Richard Hickox in the early 1980s. To return as their director and to take a new post created to bring choral work into the heart of the LSO and its Discovery programme is a dream come true.'

Kathryn McDowell, LSO Managing Director said: 'I have admired Simon Halsey's work with choirs for many years and I am thrilled that he can focus his work in London for the first time. The value of singing was highlighted in the recently published National Music Education Plan; it is already a major element in the LSO Discovery programme, and Simon Halsey's leadership will bring a new focus and energy to all the LSO's choral activity, from the Youth Choir through to the LSC. I am also delighted that this brings the work of the LSC and the LSO closer together and I look forward to many great performances in the future.'



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