Saint Michael's Singers :: About Us

Paul Leddington Wright's musical career started whilst still at school when, at the age of 15, he was appointed conductor of the Maidenhead Schools' Orchestra, and also organist and choirmaster of his local church. He undertook the first of many organ recital tours of the USA at the age of 17. Following three years as organ scholar of St. Catharine's College, Cambridge, he worked as a musical director in the professional theatre for three years before moving to Coventry as sub-organist at the cathedral. From 1984 to 1995 Paul was director of music at Coventry Cathedral, during which time he toured extensively with the cathedral choir, and made many recordings and radio and television broadcasts.

In 1995, whilst retaining a part-time position at the cathedral, he concentrated his energies on BBC radio and television. He has conducted over 100 Songs of Praise programmes in venues all over the world. He is also a regular conductor for BBC Radio 4's Daily Service, and has made two CDs with that professional group.

He has been artistic director for the International Church Music Festival since 1991, which he co-conducts with Sir David Willcocks. Since 1984, Paul has been conductor of Saint Michael's Singers, during which time he has conducted the choir in a wide repertoire of choral works. Under his leadership, the Singers have made nearly twenty CDs, and broadcast frequently for radio and television. In 1996 he conducted the Saint Michael's Singers, Huddersfield Choral Society and the English Symphony Orchestra in the 150th anniversary performance of Mendelssohn's Elijah at Symphony Hall, Birmingham.

His many choral works are published in the USA by Hinshaw Music, and also in the UK by Oxford. In 2000 he wrote a Christmas piece for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. His Te Deum for choir, organ and orchestra was commissioned by the American pianist Van Cliburn for the opening of the new organ in Broadway Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas. The piece was repeated in Houston in Autumn 2003.