I trained as a professional viola player and then worked as a church musician and teacher in Germany. Since completing my Ph.D. on the development of hymn books in hymn singing cultures, I have worked as a freelance academic and writer. My interest in hymn singing from a local perspective led me to write four short books about North Oxfordshire uncovering such gems as the work of the charismatic Sunday School teacher, Sid Hedges; the history of Bicester’s own hymn book; and the reconstruction of a partbook used by Flora Thompson’s grandfather. In 2006, my biography of Fred Kaan was published by Stainer & Bell Ltd. I thoroughly enjoyed working closely with Fred. My recent book, Using Vintage Hymns in Worship is published by Sacristy Press.
As a lecturer and tutor, I have been involved in a number of university courses related to hymnody, and have directed courses for the RSCM and other musical organizations. I have given many conference papers and led workshops in England, Europe and USA and Canada as well as South Africa. More recently, I have worked in Nigeria to raise awareness of hymn singing in this vibrant country and continues to write occasionally for the Organ and Music periodical published in Nigeria.
A member of the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland, I am on the executive committee. I also work on the HymnQuest project and the magazine Roots where I advise on the weekly choice of hymns. As a musician I perform regularly with the Trinity Camerata, a local semi-professional orchestra, and play in several folk groups. I am a private teacher of piano and upper strings, and most recently have been working to develop Palenka, an ensemble for young string players.
This is what I do…
- Writing
- Music educator – violin, viola, piano
- Lecturing on church music
- Music directing – choral and strings
Gillian R Warson 