RICHARD QUESNEL COMPOSER CONDUCTOR
MUSICAL ACTIVITIES
CHORAL COMPOSITION
As a choral conductor, I have always written for singers - sacred and secular, solo songs and song cycles, motets and anthems, cantatas and oratorios. Recent works include 'Raising the Roof' for 250 children across the City of London with performances in St Paul's Cathedral and London's Guildhall. My pieces are published and available on Spotify. Commissions and performances include Vox 21 (Paris 2023), Cambridge and Oxford University college chapels, Notre Dame Cathedral - Paris (TV broadcast), Singer-Polignac Foundation - Paris, Festival of Sacred Music - St Malo, Royal Naval Chapel - Greenwich...
FILM COMPOSITION
Recent scores include media work for Edeline Lee/London Fashion Week 2023, Aurora Media on Amazon Prime (Formula E Ice Drive - choral meets electronic score) and Fugue State Films (American Preacher - small band acoustic score). American Preacher was screened at Dances with Films Festival - Hollywood in 2018.
ARRANGEMENTS AND IMPROVISATION
I’ve worked as an arranger for events in London Fashion Week 2023 and on several albums with traditional musicians for commercially released albums, including Andre Le Meut (string quartet and piano), Nijadell (piano improvisation) and Yann Fanch Kemener (choral arrangements).
I have also always enjoyed arranging traditional Advent and Christmas carols for upper voices and SATB choirs
MUSIC AND EDUCATION
I have been dedicated to working with young musicians for twenty years and was appointed Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture for my services to music, culture and education. I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and my qualifications include the Agregation de Musique, the Diplome d'Etat in Choral Conducting and UK Qualified Teacher Status.
I am currently Director of Music - City of London Schools, working at the senior schools at Millennium Bridge and the Barbican, and in partnership with the City family of schools. Previous experience includes Director of Music at St George's College, Weybridge, roles at University, Conservatoire and Maitrise de Caen, and choral director at the Academie de Musique & Arts Sacres in Sainte Anne d'Auray from 2000 to 2017.
RECENT PERFORMANCES
RAISING THE ROOF - cantata for the City of London schools - words/music by Richard Quesnel
Premiered: St Paul's Cathedral (under the dome) June 2023
NEXT DATE: Thursday 21 September 2023, Great Hall, Guildhall
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wren300-concert-tickets-648099351607?aff=oddtdtcreator