Biography

Elizabeth Stratford is an inspirational choral director, musician, and educator who has redefined the boundaries of liturgical choral music. An assured keyboard player and accompanist as well as an energetic and engaging choir trainer, she is the first woman to hold a senior position in a cathedral music department and the youngest cathedral organist appointed in recent times.

With a passion for music that started at a young age, Elizabeth has dedicated her life to the promotion of choral music, seeking to involve children and adults from all backgrounds in the music foundation at Arundel Cathedral. As one of the first girl choristers in the country, she has always recognised the significant benefits which being a chorister affords, and her academic journey, marked by scholarships and postgraduate studies, has provided her with a strong foundation for her professional achievements.

As Organist and Master of the Choristers at Arundel Cathedral, her dedication to musical excellence has revitalised the Cathedral's musical heritage. Her oversight of the Hill organ restoration and her commitment to nurturing choral talent through the recruitment of choristers and the formation of the Choral Scholarship programme have created a legacy. Under her direction, the Cathedral Choir has been broadcast on ITV and BBC One, notably live on Christmas Eve for Midnight Mass in 2014. For BBC Children in Need, broadcast live from Arundel Castle, she assembled over 100 children from local primary schools, teaching them to sing in 3-part harmony. She has also filmed for regional television and Songs of Praise. Under her direction, the Cathedral Choir has issued a number of recordings, available for streaming and download. *No Story So Divine* (2021) received excellent reviews, and the choir’s latest recording, *Jubilate Deo*, will be released in late 2024.

Beyond her role at Arundel, Elizabeth's musicianship extends to performance and education. As a singer, she has performed in high-profile venues across the UK and in the presence of members of the British Royal Family. Her expertise as a teacher and passion for teaching are evident in her ability to inspire musicians and elevate their performance, thus influencing aspiring musicians. She has a busy teaching practice, and continues to share her knowledge through workshops and courses. Recent student successes include a singer reaching the final of the BBC Young Chorister of the Year 2023, a member of the children’s chorus in *Carmen* for Glyndebourne Festival Opera 2024, BBC Proms performances, soprano places on the Genesis Sixteen scheme (2023-24), and a Fellowship of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain (2024). Notable former choristers have gone on to sing professionally in London, both in the classical choral world and on the West End stage.

A keen composer, her works have been broadcast on television and radio and she is published by the RSCM. Her latest piece, *Come Holy Ghost*, received its premiere at St Paul’s Cathedral in May 2024. She is a Course Director for The Rodolfus Foundation and has taught on the Jennifer Bate Organ Academy, leading a masterclass in Romantic and modern repertoire in 2024. In 2022, she produced recordings for Setra Consort, a professional vocal ensemble based in London. She serves on the committee of the Cathedral Organists’ Association, is Administrator for the Guild of Church Musicians, and Principal of the National College of Music.

Appointed Director of Salisbury Cathedral Chamber Choir in April 2023, Elizabeth is responsible for the training and development of this choir, which makes up part of the Cathedral’s Music Foundation. The choir regularly sings services in the Cathedral, as well as performing concerts and collaborations in both the local area and further afield. Elizabeth's influence on the choral landscape continues to be significant.