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Conductor Peter Leech (b.1967) has established a reputation in the UK and internationally as a talented interpreter of a variety of choral and orchestral repertoire, ranging from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary music. He has been widely acclaimed for performances characterised by a potent mix of energy and informed scholarship combined with natural musicianship and stylistic sensitivity.
After arriving in the UK in 1996 Peter's career has flourished with musical directorships of Aylesbury Choral Society (from 2004), Bristol Bach Choir (from 1999), Yeovil Chamber Choir (2004-05), City of Oxford Choir (1998-2005), Chandos Chamber Choir (2000-02) and Cathedral Singers of Christ Church, Oxford (1997-99).
In 2003 Peter won First Prize at the Mariele Ventre International Competition for Choral Conductors, held in Bologna, Italy. The prize included the Silver Cup of the Italian Republic for an outstanding cultural achievement. His success has led to a guest appearance directing the Coro di Euridice of Bologna at the 2005 Ravenna Festival.
Never afraid to challenge audiences with new concert music in a range of styles and periods, Peter has earned a special place in the cultural life in many of the cities in which he has worked with his versatility and imagination. He has directed world premieres of new compositions by British and Australian composers, including Jonathan Lloyd, Ian Higginson, Richard Pantcheff, Deborah Rose, Andrew Batterham, Tristram Cary, David Young, Scott McIntyre, Charli Holoubek, Bill Hughes, Maxine Bradshaw, John Polglase and Ed Elksnitis, to name but a few.
A distinguished scholar as well as a performer, with articles published in Early Music and The Revised New Grove, Peter was awarded a Ph.D in musicology from Anglia Polytechnic University in 2004 for his ground-breaking thesis 'Music and Musicians in the Stuart Catholic Courts, 1660-1718'.
Challenging his ensembles to achieve the highest possible standards, Peter has produced several exciting recordings (including world premieres) which are featured separately (see Recordings). The ensembles under his direction have been acclaimed in the British and Australian press (see Reviews).
Peter is a graduate of the Universities of Adelaide, Melbourne and the Victorian College of the Arts. Prior to his arrival in the United Kingdom in 1996 he had been Musical Director (either as a permanent or guest conductor) of several leading Australian musical ensembles.
Peter was appointed as the first Director of Music at St.Peter's Cathedral, Adelaide, in 1993. During his tenure he re-established the Cathedral as a centre of music making in Adelaide, promoting numerous outreach arts projects involving choirs and orchestras from around Australia. He was also a regular Guest Conductor with the Barossa Music Festival and Melbourne International Festival of Organ and Harpsichord.
In 1994 Peter won the Henry Krips Scholarship with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, leading to his being chosen as a finalist in the ABC Young Conductor's Masterclass of the same year and an appearance with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
Peter’s awards for musical achievements include the Hooper Brewster Jones and Ruby Davy Prizes for Composition in 1987 and 1988 (Elder Conservatorium) and the Adelaide Choral Society Prize (1989). He was also a finalist in the 1992 Channel 10 (Australia) Young Achiever's Awards. In the same year, collaborating with Melbourne-based Gas Theatre, he received a Queen's Trust grant for an innovative contemporary theatrical production of Handel's Semi-Opera Alceste.
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