Meet the Musicians: TSO Chorusmaster Warren Trevelyan-Jones

Warren, you have had an incredible career. Were you born into a life of music?

There was definitely nothing inevitable about how I started in music – my mother had a terrible upright piano and ours wasn’t a musical family. However, in my early years on our farm in Wales we had lodgers and the wife played the piano accordion. That sparked my interest.

My professional career started when a teacher at my school heard me sing a hymn and found me a gap-year job at a cathedral school. From there, I stepped into the cathedral choir tradition – it was completely foreign to me, but it absorbed me!

The Choir of Westminster Abbey is one of the most famous in the world. What was it like to sing with a renowned ensemble in such an iconic and historically significant space?

I sang in the choir at Westminster Abbey for nearly a decade, participating in state occasions such as the Queen Mother’s funeral. My children have the honour of being christened there, which is very special. The Abbey is a building of huge significance, not only as a place of worship but as a national symbol and a centre of cultural heritage. It has been pivotal to the narrative of British history and identity.

The Anglican choral tradition, which is so much a feature of cathedrals in the UK and Westminster Abbey in particular, is a remarkable cultural tradition that has been unbroken since at least the Middle Ages. It’s a remarkable community that extends far beyond its spiritual purpose, promoting musical excellence that supports and uplifts so many.

You have said that ‘everyone has a voice’. Why would you encourage people to take up singing – particularly with a choir?

Music has a unique power, probably more than anything else, to evoke a response and a reaction, particularly an emotional reaction.

Singing is especially relevant because it relies solely on the human body – you’re not using an external instrument; it’s you, your voice, and all your emotions.

Having a voice empowers people. It’s about enriching lives socially, emotionally, and health-wise.

What are you most proud of from your time as Head of Music at St James’ in Sydney?

St James is Sydney’s oldest church, and its first choir was made up of convicts who marched across the road in chains from Hyde Park Barracks. It’s had an amazing musical tradition that continues to flourish.

In addition to our regular choral services, we toured internationally, singing several times in Gallipoli, Singapore, in Westminster Abbey, Notre Dame in Paris before it burned down, and even in the Vatican; as well as every state of Australia.

St James has also played an important role in the commissioning of new music. The Church has always been a major patron of the arts, and nearly all Western choral music owes its existence to such church singing traditions.

You are currently preparing the TSO Chorus for this year’s end of year concert, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. What can the audience expect?

Johann Sebastian Bach is a complete genius and also the consummate church musician. In the early 1700s his job was to write music for every Sunday service.

His Christmas Oratorio takes us on a journey through the days of Christmas, opening with rousing timpani and trumpets. The first words are ‘Jauchzet, frohlocket!’ or ‘Shout for joy’ and it really is a special joyous celebration for all involved.

The music balances this celebration with serenity, the joyous trumpets and drums, and the woodwind evoking the pastoral scenes of the shepherds in their fields.

The TSO Chorus will perform with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and guest singers on 7 December 2024 in our end-of-year concert, Bach's Christmas Oratorio. Book here.