Philip Stopford

Philip Stopford (b.1977) began his musical career as a Chorister (aged 8) at Westminster Abbey, London, singing under the direction of Simon Preston and Dr Martin Neary. He was awarded a major music scholarship to Bedford School and then appointed Organ Scholar at Truro Cathedral, Cornwall. Philip studied for a masters degree in music at Keble College, Oxford University where he was also Organ Scholar, responsible for the recruitment and training of the College Choir. He was appointed Organ Scholar at Canterbury Cathedral for the millennium year, and moved to the position as Assistant Organist at Chester Cathedral in April 2000. Philip was appointed Director of Music at Belfast Cathedral, Northern Ireland in 2003. 

With this extensive background in choral music, Philip has become a respected choir trainer and composer of church music. He has multi pieces published by Hal Leonard and MorningStar Music. Other selected works are self-published at www.philipstopford.com. 

Philip recorded the first CD of his own choral music with Ecclesium at Keble College, Oxford. The disc was named Editor’s Choice by Organists’ Review, August 2006. Philip directed this CD and four consecutive CDs of his own music; Creation (2006), Love Never Ends (2007), A Christmas Blessing (2008), Te Deum, Benedicite and Music for the Liturgy (2012). In 2012, Truro Cathedral Choir recorded a complete Stopford CD ‘Do Not Be Afraid’ which featured in the Specialist Classical Music Chart. In 2013, Philip’s ‘Lully Lulla Lullay’ entered the Classic FM Hall of Fame for the first time at number 248. In 2014, it climbed 152 places becoming the year’s highest climber of the entire chart. ‘Do Not Be Afraid’ and ‘Irish Blessing’ have also featured in the Classic FM Hall of Fame. 

In September 2015, Philip was appointed Composer in Residence at Christ Church, Bronxville, just outside New York City. A temporary post of three months became a full time job. Once again, Philip recruited and trained the church choir, recording a CD of Anglican Chant Psalms and matching Psalm Anthems as well as touring with the choir to the UK on two occasions. Philip left Bronxville in July 2021 to return to England to be with family and continue his compositional work.