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From Halifax in the UK, Peter Ellis is a graduate of the Universities of Birmingham and London, studying Orchestral Conducting, Organ, and Violin. A former member of the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus, one of the world’s finest symphonic choirs, he performed at the BBC Proms, on Gramophone award-winning recordings and television broadcasts. 

 

An Australian resident since 2002, Peter has conducted the Adelaide, Queensland, and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras under the Symphony Australia Conductor Development Program. He was Music Director of the Eastern Sydney Chamber Orchestra and the Newcastle University Choir. From 2015 to 2026, Peter was Music Director of Willoughby Symphony Choir, conducting broadcasts and recordings and making many conducting appearances with ensembles such as the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic and Queensland Baroque.

  

Peter joined Barker College in 2012 as Director of Choral Programs K-12. He has toured Barker singers to the UK, France, Turkey, and the USA and directs the Chamber and Senior Choirs and the Junior School year group choirs. Peter has arranged many pieces for major college events and was Musical Director of the 2022 Junior School Musical, Shrek and the 2023 Senior School Musical  Les Misérables. Peter undertook training as a practitioner with BodyMinded: Sydney Alexander Technique, and in his work with choirs he aims to incorporate physical wellbeing and postural awareness into choral technique.

 

Peter was Director of Music at St. Augustine’s, Merewether (2003-2006), Assistant DoM at St. James’, King Street (2006-2009) and DoM at St. Luke’s, Mosman (2010-2013). He returned to Mosman in 2025 as acting DoM and is deeply enjoying being back in a tradition of fine hymn-singing and liturgical accompaniment and improvisation.

 

In 2026 Peter took on the role of Conductor of the Matthew Doyle Choir for Gondwana Choirs. He will tour with them to Queensland in July 2026, also featuring in concerts with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and The Cat Empire. Peter has a composition for trombone featured in the AMEB examinations book and has several choral works in preparation for publication.