Musical Staff

Russell Paterson - Musical Director

Russell’s interest in choral music began when he was a Chorister at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool. After graduating in music from Manchester University, he went on to become Assistant Musical Director of the renowned Manchester Chorale, and for the past eleven years he has been the Musical Director of the Warrington Male Voice Choir.

He is a composer and arranger of choral music, and has had compositions and arrangements performed at the Royal Northern College of Music, the National concert Hall Dublin, The Waterfront Hall Belfast and the Bridgewater Hall Manchester. His concert appearances include sharing the stage with both Jose Carerras and Luciano Pavarotti, and his many media performances include directing live performances on BBC Radio, S4C and RTE.

During his time with Warrington Male Voice Choir, the choir has enjoyed a period of considerable competition success, as regular prize winners at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen, winners of the Sligo and Bangor International Choral Festivals and UK National Male Voice Choir Champions. In 2002 Russell was elected a Fellow of the Academy of St Cecilia.

Anthony Whittaker - Accompanist and Deputy Conductor

Anthony Whittaker is a pianist, organist, composer and singer. He studied piano with Peter Wild, organ with Ann Bond and composition with James Wishart. After acquiring the LRAM diploma in piano 1989, ARCO and LTCL diplomas in organ in 1991, he graduated from the University of London in 1994, BMus(hons); more recently, he gained a MMus in Composition at the University of Liverpool. Anthony is also an elected Fellow of the Academy of St Cecilia.

Anthony has worked as a lecturer in colleges and universities in the North West: he is now an examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music for whom he has twice toured Hong Kong. Anthony has directed and accompanied many choirs and as a performer, he has given several recitals in London and overseas.

As a composer, he has had several choral and instrumental successes. Commissions for Warrington Male Voice Choir have included A Litany for TTBB, broadcast by S4C as part of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod as was Agnus Dei which was premiered in the Pauluskirche, Berlin. Several smaller choral works are published by Curiad.

Anthony’s association with the choir dates back to December 1994; he has formally been the choir’s accompanist since April 1997. His own website is: www.anthonywhittaker.co.uk

Bob Williams - Compere

Bob Williams has compèred the choir’s Parr Hall concerts for the past ten years. He has also travelled extensively with the choir and presented major concerts across the island of Ireland as well as in London, Manchester, Scotland and Canada.

Bob became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in recognition of his work for the ‘Quest for New Musicals’ at Buxton Opera House and, for a number of years, hosted the prestigious Duke of Westminster Awards for Business and Industry in the North West. He is now the regular host for the Vale Royal Business Awards, and also for both Warrington’s annual Sports Personality and Business Awards. Recently, Bob was accepted into the Northern Guild of Toastmasters.