DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
MATTHEW CLARK was born in Bedford and studied
singing with Rachel Nicholls before undertaking a degree in composition at the
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where he developed an interest in
conducting. During his degree, he co-founded his own choir, Côr Cyfoes, in
order to perform new music by composers at RWCMD and Cardiff University. After
graduating he worked with Constanza Ladies Choir and the Serenata Singing Group
before his move to Gloucester in 2016 to take up the role of bass lay clerk. He
occasionally conducts the cathedral clerks and scholars in services at the
cathedral and at the Three Choirs Festival. He is also Musical Director of
Hempstead Community Choir.
Matthew sings
regularly with a variety of choirs and as a soloist. He has sung with groups including
the BBC National Chorus of Wales, the Armonico Consort, Cantemus Chamber Choir
Wales and the Choirs of Llandaff Cathedral. As a soloist he has sung various
solo roles with several different ensembles in the South West, the Midlands
& South Wales with music including Bach’s St. John Passion, Handel’s Israel
in Egypt, Charpentier’s Messe de
Minuit, Vaughan-Williams’ Fantasia on
Christmas Carols, as well as the requiems of Fauré, Duruflé, Howells
and Brahms.
Matthew has also
written a large amount of vocal music, both solo and choral. He has been
commissioned by ensembles in London, Cardiff, Bristol and most recently a Passion
Setting for Gloucester Cathedral Choir, premiered on Palm Sunday 2019.
Matthew took over as Musica Vera's Director of Music on 5 February 2020.