The Parish of Bledlow with Saunderton and Horsenden

Born in Surrey, Jeff Stewart began singing at the age of seven in the local church choir and was fortunate enough to sing in many of the great cathedrals both with this choir and with the Royal School of Church Music. It was here that he first developed an interest in being a musical director, often stepping in when the choirmaster had to be absent.

He subsequently went to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama to study as a singer, winning the Harold Rosenthal Award for outstanding achievement on the Opera Course. This led him on to an international career as a Tenor in both opera and concert, which has included appearances all around the world. He combines this with a busy teaching practice and in 2005 he became a professor of singing at the Royal College of Music. He also teaches at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and has given masterclasses in London, Macedonia and China.

Jeff has performed over 60 leading operatic roles as well as most of the major concert repertoire. He began conducting in 2003. He became musical director at Uxbridge Choral Society (2009) and Aylesbury Choral Society (2015). His love of teaching people how to get the most out of their singing, whatever their level, also led him to set up Choral Holidays in 2011 and its auditioned arm, Cantemus Cum Spiritu, which sings in major cathedrals. He is now also MD of the Lord Williams Festival Chorus.

Jeff began the Bledlow choir in this tiny village with just 8 people; but in a very short space of time this had grown to around 40 members in a thriving ensemble which, in addition to its duties at home, regularly sings in cathedrals around the country.