About

Thomas, a Tenor and Conductor hailing from Royal Tunbridge Wells, first began singing at the age of seven when he joined his local church choir in Sussex. He now studies at The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, under the tutelage of Christopher Turner. He is a Josephine Baker Trust Scholar and an Ex Cathedra Scholar for the 24/25 season, having held this position for the 23/24 season, and performs additionally as a part of their professional consort.

A Tenor Lay Clerk at St Philips Cathedral Birmingham, in and around Birmingham Tom also regularly sings for the choirs of St Chad’s Catholic Cathedral and as a member of the highly regarded choir of The Oratory of St Philip Neri. As a choral singer Thomas regularly sings with some of the country’s highest regarded ensembles. In addition to his work with Ex Cathedra he has performed with The Oxford Camerata, London Voices, Canzonetta Chamber Choir, CBSO Chorus, in a professional capacity, and as part of the Award Winning Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Chamber Choir.

Outside of Birmingham, Tom has had the privilege of participating in significant endeavours alongside esteemed collaborators, highlights include Soloist in ‘Bach’s Advent Cantatas’ at Chichester Cathedral, Renaissance Masterworks ‘Byrdwatching’ at the Cheltenham Festival and a recent recording alongside the CBSO. He has also performed on renowned platforms, including London’s Wigmore Hall, St John’s Smith Square for Bach’s B Minor Mass, and internationally in Florence, Malta and Vienna.

In the world of Opera, recent highlights have included: Albert in The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s Production of Benjamin Britten’s Albert Herring, Tom Rakewell - The Rake’s Progress (Stravsinky), Pealleas Pelleas et Melisande (Debussy) as part of a student lead Opera Scenes Project; Leukippos - Daphne (R. Strauss), Faust - Faust (Gounod), Idamante - Idomeneo (Mozart), Falke - Die Fledermaus (Strauss) as part of RBC’s Opera Scenes, and in it’s recent production of Jonathan Dove’s The Enchanted Pig.

As an Oratorio soloist he has performed major works including Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s Nelson Mass, W A Mozart’s ‘Great Mass in C’, John Stainer’s ‘Crucifixion’ and various others. He was recently fortunate enough to be involved in the World Premiere of Philip Sawyers’ new Oratorio Mayflower on the Sea of Time with the English Symphony Orchestra in Worcester Cathedral, and the UK Premiere of John Luther Adams’ Vespers of the Blessed Earth with the CBSO in Birmingham’s Symphony Hall. Tom was Soloist with the Mozart Festival Orchestra to a sold out audience at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall in December 2023. As at home with amateur ensembles as professional musicians, Thomas has also participated in music outreach as a representative for The Peoples Orchestra, leading rehearsals for their show choirs in and around Birmingham.

Tom has also been fortunate enough to receive coaching and participate in masterclasses by esteemed musicians including: James Gilchrist, Luis Gomes, John Graham-Hall, Robin Bowman, Christopher Bucknall and Dylan Perez.

Upcoming engagements include performances at the Lichfield and Mayfield Festivals, the role of ‘The Lover’ in Ethyl Smyth’s Opera ‘Fete Galante’ at RBC, performances at the International Conference on Baroque Music, and as soloist in Mendelssohn’s ‘Elijah’ as part of the Brecon Choral Festival. He will also be Assistant Conductor to Harry Sever on productions of Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas and Ethyl Smyth’s Fete Galante in Summer 2025.

As a Conductor Tom Studies with Julian Wilkins (CBSO Associate Chorus Director), and has been fortunate enough to lead choirs in some of the county’s most impressive spaces including: Southwark and Salisbury Cathedrals, The Turner Gallery and Keble College, Oxford. He has recently completed his tenure as Director of Music at the reputable church of St Dunstan’s, Mayfield - home of The Mayfield Festival of Music and Arts. He is also an avid Cornet player, returning to his local Brass Band on Solo Cornet whenever he can.

When not singing, Tom can usually be found in the kitchen, on the squash court, or admiring modernist architecture while attempting to look inconspicuous.