Michael Stewart
From Wellington Cathedral of St Paul
Michael Stewart is at the forefront of the younger generation of choral conductors in New Zealand, as well as being one of the country’s leading concert organists. In June 2011 he was appointed Organist and Director of Music at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, after previously serving for five years as Director of Music of The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 100 metres up Hill Street. Michael is also the Music Director of The Tudor Consort, and a member of Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir. He is also a member of the Artistic Team of Choirs Aotearoa and assists occasionally with the New Zealand National Youth Choir.
Michael was awarded a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours from the University of Canterbury and also held the inaugural John Robert Godley Organ Scholarship to Christ Church Cathedral, Christchurch. He was the recipient of a Dame Malvina Major Arts Excellence Award in 2002, which enabled him to pursue further study at McGill University (Montréal, Canada). He was awarded a McGill Organ Scholarship and graduated with a Master of Music degree majoring in organ performance in 2004. During his time in Montréal, Michael held the position of Assistant Organist to The Church of St Andrew and St Paul, a flourishing downtown Presbyterian church which boasts the finest music programme in the country. He has recorded for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Radio New Zealand – Concert, and has produced two solo organ CDs: Puissant (2001) and Ave maris stella (2007). Michael’s particular interest is in 20th century French repertoire, especially the works of Messiaen and Tournemire, as well as the music of the French Baroque period.
Since becoming Music Director of The Tudor Consort in 2007, Michael has continued the standard of choral excellence which this renowned early-music ensemble is noted for. He has broadened the repertoire to include music from the early Tudor composers through to the 20th Century, and has led critically-acclaimed performances in conjunction with the Vector Wellington Orchestra of Handel’s Messiah and JS Bach’s Christmas Oratorio.
Michael’s work with Sacred Heart Cathedral Choir has seen them specialise in Renaissance a cappella music and Gregorian chant. Recent work with the choir includes a national broadcast Mass for Christmas Day on Radio New Zealand – National in 2010.
In 2011 Michael leads The Tudor Consort in their 25th Anniversary Season, as well as performing a series of organ recitals with Richard Apperley celebrating the centenary of the birth of French composer Jehan Alain (1911-1940).
"Michael Stewart is able to draw extraordinary things from his forces." - Capital Times (2010) “The fame of The Tudor Consort… seems to ensure a series of gifted conductors able to draw from the singers performances of supreme artistry.” — The Dominion Post (2008) “Michael Stewart… is maintaining the ensemble perfection, expressive variety and stylistic awareness that have always been the choir’s greatest distinction” — The Dominion Post (2007)
