St Paul's Cathedral welcomes Hilary Punnett as Assistant Director of Music as it expands world-leading music programme
St Paul's Cathedral welcomes Hilary Punnett as Assistant Director of Music as it expands world-leading music programme
Hilary’s appointment comes at an exciting time in the Cathedral’s history, and she will be working alongside St Paul’s Director of Music, Andrew Carwood, to deliver the world-class music programme at St Paul's, which is at a moment of significant expansion.
Last year, St Paul's introduced girls into its choir for the first time in its 900-year history. Through the ambitious Girls' Voices Programme, the Cathedral is aiming to create the world’s largest and busiest choral programme, with two top lines: one of girls and one of boys, working separately but coming together for various important or historic services and events. Construction is currently progressing to build a new boarding facility at St Paul’s Cathedral School, so that girls and boys will be offered equality of opportunity by September 2025.
Hilary has spent the past 20 years working as a conductor and organist across England and Canada, including at the cathedrals of Christ Church Oxford, Chelmsford, and Lincoln. Her experience as a conductor extends from professional to amateur, and from young choristers through to adult choirs. She holds a Master of Music in Organ Performance from McGill University in Montreal, is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, and is studying for an MA in Choral Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music, to be completed in July 2025.
Hilary will take up her role from August 2025.
Hilary Punnett commented:
"I am truly delighted to be joining the music team at St Paul’s, especially at such a historic moment in the Cathedral’s remarkable musical legacy. Under the outstanding leadership of Andrew Carwood, the choir is in top form, and I am excited to work with him and the entire music and liturgy team to serve the Cathedral’s worship. I am looking forward to being part of the fruition of the Girls’ Voices Project, as the cathedral welcomes many new young people in September to the inspiring and life-changing journey of choristership."
Andrew Carwood MBE, Director of Music, commented:
“We are all thrilled by the appointment of Hilary and greatly look forward to her arrival. This is another important milestone as we establish our fully equal choral programme for both boys and girls – a progamme based on excellence, high standards and great repertoire whilst at the same time prioritising the care and nurturing of these talented young people.”
