Simon Mercer
Originally from West Sussex, Simon was a chorister from the age of 7 and began playing the organ aged 12. His teenage musical love was the trumpet, which he studied with Crispian Steele-Perkins, taking part in performances of the Bach Magnificat and B Minor Mass and becoming Principal Trumpet in the Brighton Youth Orchestra at 14.
He became Assistant Organist at Arundel R.C. Cathedral as a sixth-former and began formal organ lessons with Alan Thurlow at Chichester Cathedral.
Simon read Music at the University of Sheffield, studying at the cathedral with Graham Matthews, who even now acts as guide and mentor.
Simon's passion for directing began here and he conducted all of the University ensembles and choirs. Postgraduate work at the RNCM and in Sheffield followed, before he was appointed Assistant Organist at St George’s Church, Stockport, and Assistant Director of Music at Cheadle Hulme School.
Further teaching posts followed at St Ambrose College and Marple 6th Form College, before his final appointment as Director of Music at The King’s School in Macclesfield. Whilst he found school work highly fulfilling, Simon also conducted KEMS, Marple Choral Society and Prestbury Choral Societies.
He joined the staff at JRNCM in 1991 on the academic side and has been teaching the organ there for over 20 years; many of his pupils have gone on to scholarships at Oxford and Cambridge Universities as well as to conservatories and cathedrals. Simon also teaches for the Royal College of Organists and has been an ABRSM examiner since 2002.
Simon left the teaching profession after 25 years in July 2014. He is now pursuing a varied freelance career as performer, conductor, tutor and mentor. He and Matt Palmer (trumpet) formed their duo partnership in 2005 on a lively tour of Upper Austria and Vienna and most recently performed in Buxton. They will be playing in Manchester in the New Year.
Simon guest-conducted the RNCM Symphony Chorus in their preparations for Mahler 2 and the British Premier of Pendereki’s 7th Symphony; he was the founding Director of the Hallé Choral Academy and has been Director of the JRNCM Vocal Ensemble for 5 years. This elite choir of 65 highly talented young musicians performs diverse repertoire by Bach, Chilcott, Duruflé, Fauré, Lauridsen, Whittaker and many more.
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