Three Choirs Festival chief executive to step down

The Three Choirs Festival has today announced that chief executive Alexis Paterson will step down from the role after this summer’s festival in Worcester. She leaves the festival in August to join Oxford University’s Cultural Programme as senior music programme producer and the recruitment process for her successor has begun.

Paterson leaves the Three Choirs Festival following eight years at the helm, during which she steered the organisation through a period of transformation. As well as overseeing the merging of Three Choirs Foundation, Three Choirs Festival Society and Friends of Hereford Three Choirs Festival to become TCF Limited, Paterson was also instrumental in the centralisation and development of the festival’s professional team.

Paterson said: ‘It’s been a huge privilege to lead the Three Choirs Festival through such a dynamic time in its history. There are far too many people to thank individually in what is such a complex and interconnected organisation, but they include all my colleagues, the Board, Artistic Directors and collaborators at our host cathedrals, the Philharmonia, our volunteers and singers, our passionate audiences and supporters, and all the other wonderful performers, composers, agents and freelancers I’ve had the pleasure to work with. I know the festival will continue to go from strength to strength because it’s valued by so many.’

Under Paterson’s guidance the festival introduced family events, open rehearsals, an opening celebration and a free stage for community performers as well as the Three Choirs Festival Voices community choir and the New Voices Academy which nurtures early-career choral composers. Paterson also created a community and participation role which has led to community projects including Bach Reimagined (2022), What the Lark Saw (2023), and this year’s Nature Sings in partnership with Worcester schools.

Naomi Belshaw, chair of the Three Choirs Festival Board, said: ‘Under Alexis’s guidance, we have achieved remarkable milestones, from unforgettable performances to ground-breaking initiatives that have enriched the impact of the festival both locally and nationally. Alexis’s passion for classical music and unwavering commitment to excellence have been inspirational and I wish her, on behalf of the entire board, great success in her new role.’

Applications are now open for the chief executive role.