Don Gillthorpe

Don is a freelance conductor, composer, singer, and music publisher, known for his expertise in leading singing in educational and liturgical settings. He grew up in the Eden Valley, Cumbria, where he studied singing with Joan Gordon. Don went on to study Music at Lancaster University, where he had singing lessons with Mary Hitch and Jude Glendinning. He graduated with a first-class degree in 2006, specialising in singing, conducting and orchestration. His undergraduate dissertation explored the church music of Herbert Howells, and he was awarded the Denis McCaldin performance prize for his final-year recital.

A nationally recognised music educator, Don led two highly successful state school music departments, establishing thriving communities with a culture of music making as an integral part of school life, before serving as an Assistant Headteacher for five years. Outside school, Don’s experience extends to conducting both amateur and professional choirs and orchestras in a variety of contexts and, until April 2023, Don was Director of Music at Lancaster Priory.

Don is a published composer whose Jazz Missa Brevis and other works are published by Sing for Pleasure, while his pieces From East to West and If we shadows, alongside several hymns, are published with Choral Music Publishing, the publishing house he co-founded with fellow composer Oliver Tarney. He currently serves as Head of Publications for Sing for Pleasure (SfP), teaches on SfP choral and orchestral conducting courses, and is Director of Music for the Morland Choristers’ Camp. Don served as President of the Music Teachers' Association from 2021 to 2023.