News Archive

May 2009

Hugh Morris - The Priory's new Director of Music & Master of the Choristers.

Hugh Morris has been Director of Music at Christchurch Priory since April 2009.

Educated at Abingdon School, Oxfordshire, he subsequently gained an Organ Scholarship to Magdalene College, Cambridge, reading music. Following a year as Organ Scholar at Salisbury Cathedral, he moved to Bristol to teach music at Colston’s Collegiate School, as well as being Assistant Organist at St Stephen’s, City of Bristol.

From 2001, Hugh spent 8 happy years as Assistant Organist at Hexham Abbey in Northumberland. During this time, the choirs undertook regular tours and recordings, as well as broadcasting live on BBC Radio 4 and recording several episodes of BBC Songs of Praise for television. He combined his various duties at the Abbey with teaching music part time at the Kings School, Tynemouth, and working as a lecturer and tutor in harmony at Newcastle University. He played many concerts and services for choral societies and other groups across the Northeast.

As an organist, he has given solo recitals at many venues, including cathedrals, churches and concert halls across the UK. He appeared as a soloist in the 2002 and 2005 Hexham Abbey festivals. Hugh has played in the finals of the International César Franck Organ Competition in Haarlem, and as a finalist in the 2nd International Competition “Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck” in Amsterdam. Hugh holds the Fellowship and Choral Direction diplomas of the Royal College of Organists; he has been a student of renowned teacher David Sanger.

Hugh is married to Sarah; they have two young daughters.