Cathedral Music Trust has today announced the appointment of experienced choral director and music educator, Simon Toyne, to its Board of Trustees.
One of the country’s leading music educators and choral conductors, he received his musical training as a chorister in Exeter Cathedral Choir, later becoming Organ Scholar of University College, Oxford. Simon was Director of the Tiffin Boys’ Choir for 24 years, overseeing over 270 Royal Opera House performances and collaborations with the world’s leading conductors. Since 2012, he has been a Director of the Rodolfus Choral Courses.
Simultaneously serving as Director of Music at All Saints’ Church, Kingston, and Assistant Head & Director of Music at Tiffin School, Simon facilitated choir broadcasts on BBC1, Radio 4, and World Service Radio, with over 20 choristers achieving scholarships to Oxford and Cambridge.
Since 2015, as Executive Director of Music at the David Ross Education Trust (DRET), Simon has developed a music programme for 14,500+ children in 34 East Midlands state primary and secondary schools. Notable achievements at DRET include the award-winning Singing Schools programme, trust-wide music curriculum development, and partnerships with leading organisations including Gabrieli Roar and the Royal Opera House.
Contributing to the National Plan for Music Education and Model Music Curriculum, Simon served on the Department for Education’s Expert Panels and is currently a member of the Monitoring Board for the National Plan. His chapter on curriculum music in "What Should Schools Teach?" (January 2021) is available from UCL Press. Founder President of the Music Teachers Association, Simon also serves as the Music Director of the Northampton Bach Choir.
Commenting on his appointment, Simon remarked: “I am proud to be joining Cathedral Music Trust at an exciting stage in its journey. The UK’s remarkably rich choral and organ music tradition is constantly renewed through the profound contribution of children and young people as active participants. I am looking forward to contributing to the Trust's vital work in developing an even deeper and wider access to this unique tradition, and in helping to shape a vastly more equal British musical culture of the future.”
Jonathan Macdonald, Chair of Trustees, added: “We are delighted to welcome Simon Toyne as our latest trustee. He brings a wealth of experience across both the music and education sectors, alongside a lifelong passion for choral and organ music. Simon joins the Trust at a crucial stage in its development, as we work towards our mission of transforming more lives through cathedral music.”