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St Paul’s is excited to announce our next Director of Music. Laurence will take up this role on April 1, 2025. 

Laurence Williams is an international bass-baritone soloist and choral conductor. He trained at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama and graduated with distinction and a Concert Recital Diploma in 2017. He is widely praised for his lyrical tone and engaging communication of narrative.

Acclaimed for his eloquent singing and rich tone, his recent performance highlights include:

  • Bach’s Mass in B Minor with the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra
  • A live broadcast of Bach’s St Matthew Passion with Stephen Layton and the Auckland Philharmonia 
  • Adonis in Blow Venus and Adonis for Hampstead Garden Opera
  • Elijah solos for Islington Choral Society at Cadogan Hall

In his choral career, he has sung with such prominent ensembles as Polyphony, Gabrieli Consort and the Monteverdi Choir performing throughout Europe to sold out audiences.

As a conductor, he is the Music Director to three choirs, including a children’s choir in North London. He is passionate about introducing all voices to choral music and has extensive experience inspiring non-professional musicians. He loves how his work as a conductor helps inform his performing career and visa versa.

Laurence works with a number of choirs and orchestras as the Music Director.

He works with choirs of all sizes and ages from choral societies through to children's choirs. He loves how his work as a singer allows him to help other singers be more expressive and alive in their performances.

Some of the many choirs Laurence is involved with include...

East Grinstead Choral Society; Children's Voices of Enfield; The Church choir of St. Michael's and All Angel's, Barnes; and Barnes Children's Choir. He is also Choral Music Director at the New London Music School Summer course. He regularly deputises for other conductors and is praised for his enthusiastic, encouraging and energetic style. He runs an annual workshop at St. John's Church, Dormansland, Surrey in February. 

Laurence is thrilled to be joining us at St. Paul’s - when asked about how he is feeling about this announcement Laurence said:

“I am so excited to be named Director of Music at St. Paul's. Thank you to everyone who has brought me to this stage. I know with the choir, the congregation, the wardens, priests Kevin George and Sam Thomas, we are going to make fantastic music at St. Paul's and keep the tradition alive; a tradition which can bring so much beauty into people's lives. I look forward to meeting the St Paul’s choir and congregation in the near future, and for now, may I offer my gratitude to those temporarily stepping into the role who are doing great work keeping the music going.”