WILLIAM WHITEHEAD

William Whitehead has gained a wide reputation for his engaging and inspiring interpretation of the organ's repertoire. Winning first prize in the Odense International Organ Competition in 2004, he has recently been heard both at home and abroad, with concerts in Lichfield, Warwick, France, and Sweden. William began his studies at University College, Oxford - where he gained a first class degree - and continued at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he was also Organ Scholar at Westminster Abbey. His teachers have included David Sanger, James O'Donnell, and Gillian Weir. After four years as Assistant Organist at Rochester Cathedral, William took up a position as a lecturer at the Royal Academy of Music and became Director of Music at St Mary's Church, Bourne Street. In 2003, he co-founded, with Ann-Elise Smoot, the London Organ Forum, whose inaugural symposium focused on the keyboard works of César Franck - a particular area of interest and expertise for William. William's recording of music by Duruflé and Alain, recorded in Auxerre Cathedral, is due to be released this year on the Chandos label. In partnership with the trumpeter Deborah Calland, William has performed several important premières in recent years, including music by Huw Watkins, Robin Holloway, and Hugh Wood. He is a critic for BBC Music Magazine, and has worked with John Elliot Gardiner, Richard Hickox, Paul Daniel, and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. In 2001, William became a council member of the Royal College of Organists.