​Our Director of Music...

Present
Simon Lumby

Simon Lumby is a conductor, tenor, organist, and pianist of some noted versatility.  In a time of ever-increasing specialisation, Simon enjoys being thought of as something of a polymath, bringing a wide range of experience and influences to his music-making.
Simon was born in Birmingham and studied organ with Andrew Fletcher before moving to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, having been a junior student at the Royal Academy of Music in London. In 1993, Simon was awarded First Prize in the International Young Organist Competition, held in Plymouth for his performance of Bach First Trio Sonata and ‘Litanies’ by Jehan Alain. Organ recitals have included the Cathedrals of St Paul’s London, Hereford, Leicester, Coventry, Birmingham Oratory, Salisbury, Lichfield and Liverpool, the Abbeys of Westminster and Ampleforth, St. Giles’ Cripplegate, and St. Bride’s Fleet Street. Other concerts of note have included the opening recital of the Harrison Organ at the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield and several Battle of the Organs with the late and great flamboyant American virtuoso, Carlo Curley. Simon has been featured on both Classic FM and Radio 3.
Simon was ordained in the Church of England and spent many happy years as Parish Priest of Saint Aidan’s in Leicester during which time he recorded his first CD (‘Loud Organs his glory…’) which met with both popular and critical acclaim and went on to record a series of videos with Shea Lolin featuring, among other instruments, the new organ put into Saint Aidan’s Church. One such video, having been seen by more than 50,000 people was considered to have ‘gone viral’! Simon enjoys recording and is excited to be now able to publish these on his YouTube Channel.

Simon is in demand as a singer and choral conductor. Singing performances have included Bach St. John Passion (for Liverpool Cathedral), Handel Messiah at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, Tippett A Child of our Time for Manchester Cathedral and Stainer Crucifixion for Lichfield Cathedral. Other concert appearances of note have included Mozart Mass in C minor for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Beethoven Missa Solemnis at Manchester Town Hall with the Northern Symphonia. As well as being Director of Music of the Ryton Chorale and he is also conductor of “Viva la Musica”, an exciting young chamber choir based in the East Midlands.

Simon was appointed as Music Director of Ryton Chorale in November 2019 and took over in January 2020. He has been responsible for the 'remote' recordings that Ryton Chorale have done during the time the Chorale couldn't meet because of the Covid pandemic and looks forward to a more active role once the choir once again return to rehearsing and performing together.

Future plans include another series of organ videos with Shea Lolin as well as much concert making in and around his home city of Nottingham.

In his limited spare time Simon pursues a wide range of other interests.  He is a keen traveller and has spent much time in continental Europe. His love and study of French 20th century sacred, vocal and organ music has led him to be a keen student of the French language while engaging in more study in this area.

More information can be found about Simon at: www.simonlumby.co.uk
Former Directors of Music of Ryton Chorale:
​David Wynne 2013 - 2019
Mark McComb 2012 - 2013
Anthony Morgan 1986 - 2012