Peter Willsher

B i o g r a p h y

PETER WILLSHER…….

A LIFE OF MUSIC 


Professional life


Born and educated in the UK, Peter Willsher’s career as a teacher, composer and conductor has spanned two continents. After receiving two degrees from Trinity College of music, London, a licentiate in clarinet and a graduate diploma in music education majoring in piano, his post-graduate studies took him back to London to study orchestral conducting with Maestro Bernard Keeffe, and to the Academia Chigiana in Siena, Italy to study with Maestro Franco Ferrara,

Peter Willsher directed the music department at West Heath School in Sevenoaks, Kent, a prestigious, girls’ boarding school  Throughout and following his 8 years at West Heath, Peter Willsher’s conducting experience in England included the directorships of several choirs, and orchestras and he has conducted many musicals, operettas and operas.

Having immigrated to Canada in 1988, Peter has been asked to conduct several choirs and orchestras in Ontario and Quebec. In 1992, he was approached and accepted to become the artistic director for the Montreal-based Cantabile Chorale, a 50 voice choir and a chamber orchestra. Under his leadership, the ensemble has performed much of the classical choral repertoire. Of special interest to Peter Willsher is the sponsorship of young classical vocalists from the Montreal universities and conservatoires to whom he offers the opportunity to perform professionally with a full choir and orchestra. Many of them subsequently are pursuing careers in Europe and North America.


Who is Peter Willsher ?

As an artistic director, he is talented, generous, compassionate and a witty individual who makes working under his direction and learning the most difficult choral pieces a real pleasure.
As a composer his philosophy is “to write music which not only touches the emotions but seriously tugs at the heart. If it doesn’t create a new world, at the very least, it should attempt to improve this one”.
He has written symphonies, chamber works, choral works, songs and solo instrumental pieces.
His music stems from deep emotions and is sure to capture your heart!