Philip Asher is currently the Director of Music at St George’s Church, Stockport, where he works with the two choirs to provide for the weekly needs of this busy parish church. He is also in demand as an accompanist to choral societies and chamber choirs. He is a recent graduate of the RNCM, having studying with Darius Battiwalla, earning his BMus(Hons) degree and winning the Alice Shawcroft Prize for Church Music (2005) and the Meadowcroft Exhibition Prize for Organ (2006). He is also an Associate of the Royal College of Organists.
At the RNCM, Philip took part in master-classes with Thomas Trotter, Jeremy Filsel, Colm Carey, David Briggs, David Sanger, David Titterington, Jacques van Oortmerssen and Colin Walsh, among others, and also had tuition in Harpsichord from Gary Cooper and David Ledbetter, and on Piano with Jeremy Young. He served as harpsichordist to the School of Vocal Studies Period Performance class, directing a performance of Monteverdi’s Ballo della Ingrate with Philippa Hyde and vocal students in 2006.
Philip held the post of Pilling Trust Organ Scholar at St Ann’s Church, Manchester, for three years, and was appointed Assistant Organist in July 2006. He regularly performed in the weekly recital series, and continues to make guest appearances from time to time. He worked closely with Ronald Frost and the choir, accompanying services and featuring on two CD recordings of the choir. While at St Ann’s he also performed as a soloist and with the choir for St Ann's Music Society concerts.
Since 2006 he has been Musical Director of the Debrose Choir, an SSA choir based in Rochdale, with whom he maintains a busy concert schedule. They have recently released their first CD recording, now available through their website.
As well as his musical interests, Philip enjoys the cinema, walking, change ringing, reading, and whisky (single malt, of course).
At the RNCM, Philip took part in master-classes with Thomas Trotter, Jeremy Filsel, Colm Carey, David Briggs, David Sanger, David Titterington, Jacques van Oortmerssen and Colin Walsh, among others, and also had tuition in Harpsichord from Gary Cooper and David Ledbetter, and on Piano with Jeremy Young. He served as harpsichordist to the School of Vocal Studies Period Performance class, directing a performance of Monteverdi’s Ballo della Ingrate with Philippa Hyde and vocal students in 2006.
Philip held the post of Pilling Trust Organ Scholar at St Ann’s Church, Manchester, for three years, and was appointed Assistant Organist in July 2006. He regularly performed in the weekly recital series, and continues to make guest appearances from time to time. He worked closely with Ronald Frost and the choir, accompanying services and featuring on two CD recordings of the choir. While at St Ann’s he also performed as a soloist and with the choir for St Ann's Music Society concerts.
Since 2006 he has been Musical Director of the Debrose Choir, an SSA choir based in Rochdale, with whom he maintains a busy concert schedule. They have recently released their first CD recording, now available through their website.
As well as his musical interests, Philip enjoys the cinema, walking, change ringing, reading, and whisky (single malt, of course).
In August 2008 he will marry his fiancee, Abi, and will also move from Manchester to Cambridgeshire where a post as a Classroom Teacher in a primary school is awaiting him.