Duncan has built a reputation for professional sight-reading and the ability to blend seamlessly with other voices in a choir. He has a long history of singing in Cathedral and chamber choirs, starting in 1997 as a treble in St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh. His most post was tenor lay-clerk at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark. He has taken part in many CD recordings, including performing the tenor solo in Taverner’s God Is With Us in St George’s 2018 Christmas album. He has also contributed to many radio and TV broadcasts of choral evensong and festive services.
During his studies at Birmingham Conservatoire, Duncan sang with the Camerata and the Chamber Choir, led by Paul Spicer. With the latter, Duncan recorded two albums, one of Stanford Part-songs, the other of Howells’ choral music, both to high praise from Gramophone. He also sang with the innovative Icarus Vocal Ensemble, run by Malaysian baritone and conductor Chi Hoe Mak. Together they performed technically demanding and complex new works by students at UK conservatoires. Duncan also spent time as a choral scholar at St Phillip’s Cathedral, then later St. Chad’s Cathedral.
Solo tenor
Duncan enjoys acclaim as as a soloist. From oratorio solo work (most recently Handel’s Messiah), to recitals of Dichterliebe and Warlock songs, to lute-song recitals with renowned lutenist Sam Brown. His partnership with the Gallery Singers choir involved a performance of the solo in Percy Grainger’s Brigg Fair.
Choral conducting
Duncan’s breadth of choral experience leads naturally to choral conducting. With several Assistant MD posts under his belt, he is excited to have recently taken up the post of Musical Director of the Guildford Barbershop Harmony Club.
Enquiries
To book Duncan for your concert, please email contact@duncanappleby.co.uk.