David Crown

David started singing as a choral scholar in the choir of King's College, Cambridge under Stephen Cleobury with whom he has returned several times as soloist.

From there he began his singing career winning several prestigious competitions including the National Federation of Music Societies Award and the Wagner Society Bayreuth Bursary. His career as an operatic soloist flourished. He has sung with companies such as Scottish Opera and at the Covent Garden Festival, roles including Don Giovanni, Mephistopheles (Gounod’s Faust), Guglielmo (Cosi) and the title role in The Flying Dutchman as well as performing across Europe, America and Canada, working as soloist with many distinguished musicians including Graham Johnson, Sikon Rattle, Richard Hickox, Martyn Brabbins, David Parry and Martin Isepp. He also studied lieder with Olaf Baer and Elly Ameling. During this time he also conducted several choirs, choral societies and orchestras and played in a string quartet with members of the leading London orchestras.

David has given many recitals at festivals and major venues countrywide including the Wigmore Hall, St. John’s, Smith Square, the Cheltenham Town Hall and the Pump Room in Bath as well as oratorio performances at most of the cathedrals around the UK. He has built a considerable reputation as a singing teacher and teaches choral scholars and others from across Oxford University. As a conductor he studied with among others Colin Metters (Professor at the Royal Academy of Music) and has received excellent reviews for his work (including in The Times). In September 2007 he was asked to take over as Director of Chapel Music at Somerville College in Oxford. The choir have already been asked to give concerts in Swindon and Brighton and will be touring Germany in 2009.