PUSEY
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oxford

BIOGRAPHIES

Steven Grahl (Conductor)

Steven Grahl is a sought-after conductor and keyboard player, and has been Conductor of Schola Cantorum of Oxford since 2017. Since January 2024, he has also been Director of Music at Trinity College, Cambridge. Steven served as Organist and Tutor in Music at Christ Church, Oxford, and Associate Professor of Music at Oxford University from 2018 to 2023. He was also Musical Director of Benson Choral Society. From 2014 to 2018 he was Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral, where he was responsible for training the Cathedral Choir, and for the re-pitching of the Hill Organ, on which instrument he has recorded a solo CD. Peterborough Cathedral Choir’s recording of Cheryl Frances-Hoad’s EvenYouSong, made under Steven’s direction, was released to critical acclaim in December 2017. He also held positions as Assistant Organist at New College, Oxford, and as Organist and Director of Music at St Marylebone Parish Church, London. Steven was an interpretation finalist in the International Organ Competitions at St Albans (UK) in 2011, and in Dudelange (Luxembourg) in 2013, and completed his term as President of the Incorporated Association of Organists in 2019. He is a prize-winning graduate of Magdalen College, Oxford, and the Royal Academy of Music. He gained the top prizes in the FRCO examination, and is also a holder of the Worshipful Company of Musicians’ Silver Medallion. In 2010, he was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.

George Balfour (Conducting Scholar)

George Balfour is the senior organ scholar at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford where he is studying music. As head chorister at St John’s College Cambridge, he sang with the choir on international tours, CD recordings, and radio broadcasts. During his time at Chetham’s School of Music he had the opportunity to direct the student chamber choir and worked with the Manchester Cathedral choir as organ scholar. He continued conducting during his gap year as organ scholar at Southwell Minster where he regularly directed the Cathedral Choir and was also appointed director of the West Trent Choir, performing a range 13 Schola Cantorum of Oxford Schola Cantorum of Oxford, conducted by Steven Grahl, is the Chamber Choir of Oxford University. The choir was founded by Lásló Heltay in 1960 and has built a reputation as Oxford’s premier concert choir, engaging deeply with complex repertoire and commissioning new music for chamber choir. Schola’s mission is to provide an outstanding musical training for young singers and choral conductors. Schola has worked with many of the foremost musicians of the last six decades and has built an international reputation through extensive tours and recordings. Alumni who have gone on to successful musical careers include John Mark Ainsley, Emma Kirkby, Christine Rice, Susan Gritton, Ian Bostridge and Roderick Williams – many came to Oxford to study other subjects but developed their musical talents during their time in Schola. Engagements in 2026 include the première of a commission from American composer Nico Muhly for the opening of the new performance facilities of the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities at Oxford University, a collaboration with the Raschèr Saxophone Quartet as part of the Oxford Festival of the Arts, and the opening concert of the Herrenchiemsee Festspiele in Germany with Italian period-instrument orchestra Europa Galante under their director, Fabio Biondi. Schola Cantorum gratefully acknowledges the support of the Roger & Ingrid Pilkington Trust. of services and concerts in the Nottingham area. Since coming to Oxford, he has played a pivotal role in the training of the choristers for the Cathedral choir. Last academic year, he was appointed director of the Christ Church College choir, directing weekly services and occasional concerts. He also directs the Cathedral choir when required, and is taught by Helen Smee.

Schola Cantorum of Oxford, conducted by Steven Grahl, is the Chamber Choir of Oxford University. The choir was founded by Lásló Heltay in 1960 and has built a reputation as Oxford’s premier concert choir, engaging deeply with complex repertoire and commissioning new music for chamber choir. Schola’s mission is to provide an outstanding musical training for young singers and choral conductors. Schola has worked with many of the foremost musicians of the last six decades and has built an international reputation through extensive tours and recordings. Alumni who have gone on to successful musical careers include John Mark Ainsley, Emma Kirkby, Christine Rice, Susan Gritton, Ian Bostridge and Roderick Williams – many came to Oxford to study other subjects but developed their musical talents during their time in Schola. Engagements in 2026 include the première of a commission from American composer Nico Muhly for the opening of the new performance facilities of the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities at Oxford University, a collaboration with the Raschèr Saxophone Quartet as part of the Oxford Festival of the Arts, and the opening concert of the Herrenchiemsee Festspiele in Germany with Italian period-instrument orchestra Europa Galante under their director, Fabio Biondi. Schola Cantorum gratefully acknowledges the support of the Roger & Ingrid Pilkington Trust.