Stewart Thompson MA(Mus)(Open) BA(Hons) CT,FVCM FGSM FMCM FIGOC FSCO FCollT ACIEA

Archivist and Chief Researcher

Research Interests: Cyril Rootham, Haldane Campbell Stewart, Gordon Phillips. Anglican canticle settings of the mid-twentieth century. Musical theatre orchestration.

Originally from the north west of England, Stewart is a composer, arranger, musical director, examiner, music publisher and musicologist. He read contemporary arts music at Manchester Metropolitan University before embarking on a multi-faceted career that has seen him travel across the world as a musician. From his beginnings in brass bands and church choir he has explored numerous areas of the musical landscape. Recognised as a specialist in lost English music of the early twentieth century, he received his MA from the Open University in 2018 and continues his work in this field as a researcher and music editor at London Music Press.

As Qualifications Director at Victoria College of Music and Drama in London. Mr. Thompson oversees the academic affairs of all areas and stays actively involved with the Brass, Pipe Organ and Musical Theatre departments. He also leads on external partnerships and assessment quality assurance. He will begin studying for a PhD within the coming years and is devoted to exploring the missing heritage that England still has to offer the musical world.

Peter Hunter MPhil FVCM GLCM, LLCM AMusLCM

Senior Researcher

Specialist Research Interests: Robin Milford. English song of the twentith century.

Born in Belfast, Peter Hunter attended Annadale Grammar School for Boys and was a chorister in the choir of St Anne’s Cathedral under Captain C J Brennan and Dr W H Grindle.

Having had organ lessons with Professor Desmond Hunter, he went on to study at the London College of Music from 1971 to 1975 with Gordon Phillips (organ and harpsichord), Guy Eldridge and John Chapman (choral training), Joan Kemp-Potter (history), William Pasfield (harmony and counterpoint), John Creed (aural studies), John Burn (orchestral studies), Maureen Phillips (early music) and William Lloyd Webber (general studies)

At LCM, Peter gained the GLCM, LLCM and AMusLCM diplomas, graduating in 1975.  In 2000, he commenced study on the composer Robin Milford (1903-1959), a pupil of Vaughan Williams at the RCM.  Supervisors included Professors John Howard and Allan Moore, and the research work resulted in the award of an MPhil degree in 2005.

In 2018 Peter was appointed a Fellow of Victoria College and was involved with the expansion of the Pipe Organ Syllabus and is part of the consultative team for the new Church Music Syllabus. He has been a member of the team at JH Lewis Archive since it’s inception.

Since then, Peter has worked tirelessly for the promotion of Robin Milford, and other lesser-known British composers, through publications, CD recordings, the British Music Society, the English Music Festival, broadcasts and recitals.  He is a Trustee of The Robin Milford Trust.

Now retired from professional life, Peter was Head of Music at Annadale Grammar School and Friends’ School, the renowned Quaker School in Lisburn. In addition, Peter served for many years as Organist and Choirmaster, most recently, at St Mark’s, Dundela, the C S Lewis Church in Belfast.

Peter is married to Rosemary (also an organist) and has two sons, Andrew and Stephen, and a wonderful daughter-in-law, Luka, from Leeds.

TBA