Simon Ponsford (countertenor) graduated with an MA Distinction from the Royal Academy of Music, where he was also awarded a Diploma for outstanding performance. He is a Lay Vicar in the choir of Westminster Abbey, alongside which he regularly appears as a recitalist and soloist. Simon began his musical training as a chorister in Gloucester Cathedral Choir, before taking up a Choral Scholarship at King’s College, Cambridge, where he read English Literature. Simon has sung with many professional choirs including Polyphony, the Monteverdi Choir and Tenebrae, and is a founder member of the Platinum Consort. Recent solo engagements include Handel’s Jephtha (Whitehall Choir, St John’s Smith Square), Bach’s Weihnachts-Oratorium (Platinum Consort, King’s Place) and Handel’s Messiah (English Symphony Orchestra). He has also had a CD of Elizabethan and Jacobean songs released by Nimbus Records. 

Simon's Website: www.sjhponsford.com
Simon on Twitter

Benjamin Clark is a tenor, conductor and animateur. He studied music in Durham, Vienna and London, and has sung with the Platinum Consort, Stile Antico, Tenebrae, the Brabant Ensemble and was a member of the inaugural Genesis Sixteen programme run by Harry Christophers. As a soloist he has sung the role of the Evangelist in Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with the Platinum Consort in King’s Place and Tamino in Mozart’s Magic Flute, alongside other oratorio and operatic solos. As a conductor he conducts two children’s choirs and a choral society, and as an animateur he runs the Westminster Cathedral Chorister Outreach Programme alongside running Platinum Consort’s education project 'Platinum in Schools' and other education organisations.



Benjamin's website: http://www.benjaminrdclark.co.uk/
Benjamin on Twitter

From Choral Scholar at Wells Cathedral to Music graduate at Bristol University, Bass Baritone Timothy Murphy moved to Ripon Cathedral as Bass Lay Clerk and since the autumn of 2010 has been freelancing in London. He is currently studying for his Masters with Mark Wildman and Audrey Hyland at the Royal Academy of Music.  Currently in his first year, he was granted the Marjorie Gould Award Scholarship and is also supported by the Josephine Baker Trust and the Kathleen Trust.  Timothy is in demand as a soloist throughout the UK and, as part of choral ensembles, has toured parts of Europe and America.  During the past few years he has recorded several critically acclaimed albums with Platinum Consort, Stile Antico, The Brabant Ensemble and The Eric Whitacre Singers. Originally from Belfast, his passion for music is accompanied by a great enthusiasm for tennis and bookbinding.

Timothy's website: www.tjwmurphy.com
Timothy on Twitter

Nick has enjoyed the varied world of freelance singing since graduating from the University of York  five years ago. Alongside singing with the Platinum Consort he performs extensively as a soloist, and also with many vocal ensembles including The Tallis Scholars, BBC Singers, I Fagiolini, and Stile Antico. He is also a keen composer, and has had works recorded by ensembles including Exaudi. From performing solos in the Royal Albert Hall, to recording film sound tracks, to discovering new music of all genres, and constantly getting to trot the globe, there is never a dull moment.

Below is an inspirational video giving some insight into the work with Harry Christophers and The Sixteen. Watch from about 3:30 minutes.

Our next stop on the Grand Tour is the New World. Manuscripts by the Spanish Renaissance composer, Morales, found themselves in the hands of New World composers such as Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla. This resulted in an exotic mix of perfect polyphonic harmonies and infectious Mexican South American rhythms. We will also sing the beautifully haunting Sleep by American composer, Eric Whitacre. Sign up for this workshop by filling in the form below. We looking forward to seeing you there!

Saturday, 14th July 2012 | 10:30-17:00 (Registration from 10:00)
St Mary's Church, Battersea, SW11 3NA
Workshop Cost: £40 (including break time refreshments and music)

There is a wealth of staggeringly beautiful polyphonic music hidden in the shadow of the great Renaissance composers. Sure, we all love a bit of Palestrina, Victoria and Byrd, but there's so much more to enjoy! In this choral workshop, we will be singing works by lesser-known composers Schütz, Sweelinck, Obrecht, Isaac and Clemens non Papa.

These composers are all drawn from the old 'Holy Roman Empire' - an empire which existed from 962-1806 in Central Europe, governed by Holy Roman Emperor. So if you want a new choral experience, join us on 14th July by signing up below.

Saturday, 19th May 2012 | 10:30-17:00 (Registration from 10:00)
St Mary's Church, Battersea, SW11 3NA
Workshop Cost: £40 (including break time refreshments and music)

Have you ever wanted to sing the famous Allegri Miserere? You can, in London, on Saturday 19th May 2012 with Platinum Choral Workshops. This Mediterranean stop on our 'Grand Tour' will contain some beautiful early music by Allegri, Victoria, Monteverdi and Lobo.