Hannah Towndrow
Hannah is a Cardiff-born conductor and organist based in Oxford.
Hannah is Director of Music at Hertford College, Oxford; Co-Founder and Musical Director of Antiphon Chamber Choir, and Musical Director for a variety of other choral ensembles.
Hannah’s professional journey began whilst she was a student and Organ Scholar at Hertford College, Oxford, where she read for a BA in Music. As Organ Scholar, Hannah gained experience in organ playing and choral direction through leading the chapel choir during services, concerts and international tours.
Upon graduating from Oxford, Hannah attended the Royal Academy of Music, where she attained a distinction in her Master of Arts degree in choral conducting in July 2022, having studied for two years with Patrick Russill. Throughout her time at the Academy, Hannah participated in masterclasses with Sofi Jeannin and the BBC Singers, Paul Brough, David Hill and Eamonn Dougan, and has attained the LRAM teaching diploma, specialising in organ. In addition to choral conducting, Hannah studied organ as a second-study instrument under the tutelage of Anne Marsden Thomas. In the Autumn of 2021, the Academy awarded Hannah with the Alec Robertson Memorial Prize, conducting scholarship in association with Westminster Cathedral, where she directed professional voices each week throughout the academic year.
In August 2023, Hannah was appointed as the first-ever Director of Music of Hertford College, Oxford. Hannah plays a leading role in the musical life of the chapel, leading and managing the chapel choir, organising concerts and other musical events, and mentoring the College Organ Scholar. Prior to this appointment, Hannah was Director of Music at St Andrew’s Church, Sonning, and before this was Director of Music at St Mary & St John Church in Cowley, Oxford.
Hannah is Co-Founder and Musical Director of Antiphon Chamber Choir, one of Oxford’s most distinguished amateur chamber choirs. Specialising in English sacred music, the group delivers exceptional performances of music from William Byrd to Herbert Howells, and beyond. Following a concert in July 2023, composer Cecilia McDowall commented: "Beautifully shaped phrasing and sensitivity to texture and colour give distinction to this fine choir. With fearless and imaginative programming, and a rich full sound, audiences will find so much to enjoy."
Hannah is also the Musical Director for a variety of other choral ensembles, including: Wantage Choral Society, a large amateur chorus which performs major choral-orchestral; Glass Ensemble, an upper voice chamber choir based in Twyford, which explores sacred and secular music from across the ages, and the Reading Lunchtime Choir, a community choir open to those of all levels of experience, performing an array of music with something for everyone.
Aside from her regular commitments, Hannah enjoys varied freelance engagements as an organist and choral director. She is the Resident Organist of the Oxford-based upper voice choir, Laurelin Voices, and has played for the up-and-coming professional ensemble, The CONVENTional Project, as well as Putney Choral Society and the Newbury Chamber Choir. Hannah regularly deputises as a conductor for a number of choral societies, operatic societies and chamber choirs in the Thames Valley regoin, and offers private tuition in conducting, organ and piano.
