Peter J Williams - Our Conductor

Peter J Williams, Conductor of the HCS

Peter's music career began very early on. Born in North London, at the age of twelve he was, at that time, the country's youngest church organist. By fourteen he had formed a local choir and conducted his first choral concert. At the London College of Music he studied conducting with Christopher Fry as well as the piano and organ. After graduating he joined the music teaching profession.

In 1973 Peter founded and was conductor of the Islington Choral Society, holding that post until 1990. In 1980 he founded Hillingdon Choral Society and five years later, Hillingdon Philharmonic Orchestra. He has continued to conduct both ever since. In addition to these posts, he was guest conductor of the Hillingdon Musical Society from 1989 to 1995 and for eight years was chairman of the Music Sub- Committee of the Hillingdon Arts Association.

At present Peter continues his work as a Tutor and Supervisor for teachers undertaking PGCE/QTS courses and Masters degrees for the University of Buckingham, Music Examiner for the London College of Music, and National Director of Music of the Free Church Choirs (formerly the Free Church Choir Union), as well as maintaining a small teaching practice.

Peter has worked with many distinguished soloists. As well as conducting concerts locally he has also conducted concerts in London at The Royal Festival Hall and The Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank, The Cadogan Hall and in a number of cathedrals in the UK and Europe. He has led and directed many concert tours to France, Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Austria, The Netherlands and Luxembourg. In December 2015 Peter was awarded the Michael Craxton Award by the Hillingdon Arts Association for outstanding service to the music of Hillingdon over many years. Peter is married and has two daughters and three granddaughters.

Owen Saldanha - Our Accompanist

Owen Saldanha, HCS Accompanist

Owen Saldanha is a freelance organist based in London. He has a Master of Engineering degree from the University of Cambridge, where he held organ scholar awards at St. John's Voices and Pembroke College chapel choirs.

Musical highlights from his time at university and school include performing Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time at West Road Concert Hall, featuring on the album Celestial Dawn with Anna Lapwood and the Pembroke College Girls' choir, performing a piano concerto at St. John's Smith Square in London, and playing clarinet at the BBC Proms with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

Owen studied organ with Iestyn Evans at Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, and piano with Alvin Moisey at the Royal College of Music Junior Department. He is an associate of the Royal College of Organists and was awarded the Lord St. Audries prize for the highest mark achieved by an under-18.

Owen works full-time as a software engineer in data, machine learning and AI. He continues to enjoy classical music on weekends as a teacher, accompanist, and church organist.