Chapel Musicians

Cameron Davies

Musical Director 2024/25

E-mail: cameron.davies@durham.ac.uk

Cameron is a 2nd year Music student originally from Brentwood, Essex.  His musical journey began at Brentwood Cathedral, where he served for 5 years as a chorister prior to being appointed as Bass Lay clerk.

Since joining Durham in 2023, he was appointed as Associate Conductor of Durham University Choral Society in March 2024, touring the choir in Budapest as well as conducting them in Durham Cathedral during performances of Britten. He has also been a member of the Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers and sung with the Choral Society, as well as playing as a violinist with Durham University Palatinate Orchestra.  Outside of University, Cameron has worked with the National Children’s Choirs of Great Britain and National Youth Choir, receiving conducting mentorship from notable individuals including Dan Ludford-Thomas and Joanna Tomlinson.

Now beginning his second year as director of the chapel choir, he continues to enjoy the wide variety of musical repertoire along with the close-knit atmosphere of the group, whilst maintaining high standards of music-making.  In addition, he is keen to develop the repertoire, stretching into the 20th and 21st century music repository, discovering and highlighting minoritized composers.

 

Guy Hepher

Organ Scholar 2023/24

E-mail: guy.hepher@durham.ac.uk

Guy is a 1st year History student from Sussex. He started learning the piano at an early age beginning to learn the organ in 2021 without having a choral background. He currently holds ABRSM grade 8 on the organ, and an LCM performance diploma on the piano. On his gap year he was organ scholar at Sherborne Abbey and School, during which he developed his accompanying skills as well as performance in high pressure situations. In his role at St Chad's he enjoys the range of music, performed to a high standard at the twice-weekly services in the chapel. Guy has described particular highlights being the opportunity to play for College services in Durham Cathedral, which usually take place twice a term.

Oliver Lister

Organ Scholar 2024/25

E-mail: oliver.lister@durham.ac.uk

Oliver is in his first year studying Theology and Religion . Whilst at school he held both the school organ scholarship and the Rochester Cathedral sixth form organ scholarship. He loved accompanying the cathedral choir for weekly evensongs and Christmas services. He has enjoyed organ tuition at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle and more recently during his gap year at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, focusing on taking his organ playing beyond Grade 8.  Oliver is now aiming to start his ARCO alongside his academic studies. Beyong the organ, Oliver is also a keen pianist and flautist .

During his gap year Oliver also held the organ scholarship in a large Parish Church in Kent alongside freelancing at another 5 churches in the Diocese. He is looking forward to bringing that experience to Durham as part of the team of muscians and singers in Chad's and across the University.  He is particularly looking forward to playing regularly in St Chad’s chapel and for our College services in Durham Cathedral and beyond.

Dr Peter Swift

College Organist

E-mail: g.p.swift@durham.ac.uk

Peter supports the College as our organist in addition to his work within the University as a Teaching Fellow in the Department of Physics.