The Recording Academy Issues Statement on Death of Sir David Willcocks

In light of the death of conductor Sir David Willcocks, Recording Academy president and CEO Neil Portnow has issued a statement expressing the Academy's sorrow for the loss of this artist.

GRAMMY Award winner Sir David Willcocks was a colossal talent and a true mastermind of choral music. Known as England's "Choir Master," Sir David was a highly accomplished conductor, composer, organist, arranger and music director. He was an inspiration to so many and we will cherish his work for years to come, particularly around the holidays. Our deepest condolences go out to Sir David's family, friends and all those who had the pleasure of working with him.

Neil Portnow
President/CEO
The Recording Academy

Sir David began his musical training as a chorister at Westminster Abbey, later winning scholarships to Clifton College and King's College, Cambridge.

After a five-year period of war service he was elected Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, and appointed conductor of the Cambridge Philharmonic Society. Subsequently he became Organist of Salisbury Cathedral, and later of Worcester Cathedral, conducting at the Three Choirs Festival from 1950 to 1957.

From 1957 to 1974 he was Director of Music at King's College, Cambridge, University Lecturer in Music, and Conductor of the Cambridge University Musical Society. He was Director of the Royal College of Music from 1975 to 1984 and Musical Director of The Bach Choir for 38 years (a post he relinquished in 1998).

Under his direction The Bach Choir and King's College Choir made many recordings with leading orchestras of great choral and orchestral works. Sir David was knighted in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Honours of 1977 and has been awarded honorary degrees in the USA and Canada as well as at the Universities of Bradford, Bristol, Exeter, Leicester and Sussex in England.

Sir David maintains a busy schedule of concerts and recordings, including recent visits to the USA, Canada, South Africa and many European countries.

To learn more about the The Recording Academy, please visit:
GRAMMY.com The Recording Academy GRAMMY Foundation Musicares Latin GRAMMY GRAMMY Museum

Photo credit: The Really Big|Brave Chorus

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