PETER LEECH was born in Adelaide, South Australia in 1967. He graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Arts in Modern European History (1987) and Bachelor of Music (1990). From 1987-89 he undertook conducting studies with Graham Abbott and Heribert Esser and went on to study conducting at the Victorian College of the Arts (Melbourne) with Robert Rosen and Nicholas Braithwaite (1990-1).

Peter remained in Melbourne, establishing a highly successful freelance career with a reputation for exciting concerts and innovative programming. From 1990 to 1993 he was guest conductor with the Geminiani Chamber Orchestra, Melbourne Youth Orchestra, Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra, Caulfield City Choir and Tudor Choristers. In 1991 he established Ensemble Eszterhaza, a chamber orchestra devoted to early classical repertoire, which appeared at the Barossa International Music Festival in 1993 and Melbourne International Festival of Organ and Harpsichord in 1991, 1993 and 1995. Concerts included the Australian premieres of eighteenth century orchestral works by Michael Haydn, Pierre van Maldere, Wagenseil, Attilio Ariosti and Thomas Linley Jnr. on period instruments.

In 1992 Peter was invited to be conductor of the new Libra Contemporary Ensemble, with whom he performed virtuoso chamber works by young Australian composers David Young, Martin Mackerras, Scott McIntyre, Haydn Reeder and Michael Whiticker. In the same year he formed the Handel Bande who, with Gas Theatre, produced the Australian premiere of Handel's semi-opera Alceste.

In 1993 he returned to Adelaide to take up the post of Director of Music at St.Peter's Cathedral, as well as the Musical Directorships of the Corinthian Singers and New Holland Baroque. With NHB he initiated the change from modern to period instruments and set the orchestra on a highly successful path, culminating in collaborations with theatre groups and international soloists and theatre directors.

In 1996 Peter moved to the United Kingdom where his career has continued to prosper. In the same year he was invited back to Australia to direct The Song Company for their award-winning CD Quito. In 1997 he was appointed Director of Music of the Cathedral Singers of Christ Church, Oxford and in 1998, Conductor of the City of Oxford Choir. In 1999 he was appointed Musical Director of the Bristol Bach Choir and in 2000 of the Chandos Chamber Choir in London. He has also been guest conductor of the Colchester Camerata Chamber Orchestra, Esterhazy Chamber Choir and Frideswide Ensemble. He also regularly undertakes choral and orchestral workshops all over the UK and abroad.

In 1998 he began a collaboration with recording engineer Ian Higginson to create world premiere recordings of Christmas Carols by English composers and future releases will include music by Sir Lennox Berkeley and Tomas Luis de Victoria. Peter is also undertaking a Ph.D. with internationally-acclaimed expert on seventeenth-century music Peter Holman.

Contact details and further information

E-mail Peter Leech

For further details, see Peter Leech's website