Music director ~ Duncan Saunderson

Duncan graduated from the Guildhall School of Music as a countertenor in 1985. He regularly deputised in the choirs of Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral under some of the finest choral conductors including John Scott, Simon Preston, and Barry Rose.

On an ad hoc basis Duncan has also sung for distinguished choral conductors such as Sir David Willcocks, George Guest, David Hill, Stephen Darlington, Bill Ives, Robert King, and Christopher Hogwood.

In 1990, Duncan was appointed alto lay clerk in the choir of New College, Oxford, before retraining as a bass. During term he sings six evenings a week under Edward Higginbottom, Oxford University's first, and newly-appointed, professor of choral music. With this touring choir he has recorded more than 50 discs, including Best Selling Classical disc and Best Early Music disc (International Gramophone awards 1998/2008).

Duncan's own ensemble, Liedertafel, has given regular concerts with the countertenor James Bowman and the author/reader Colin Dexter in Oxford, and as far afield as Cambridge.

Duncan has conducted SCS since 1996. He combines singing and conducting with singing teaching in London and Oxfordshire.