Paul du Plessis-Smith
Paul du Plessis-Smith began singing in Portsmouth Cathedral Choir under David Price and moved up through the choir to choral scholar and eventually lay clerk. After a period of study in London he moved onto the London choral circuit as a professional countertenor. For a time, Paul was an alto lay vicar in the choir of Chichester Cathedral and is now a member of the internationally acclaimed choir at Winchester Cathedral.
Away from the choir stalls Paul has sung as a soloist in all the major oratorios alongside the London Mozart Players, the Bournemouth Sinfonietta, The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, Her Majesty’s Sackbutts and Cornets and the Rose Consort of Viols. He has also given solo song recitals with music by composers ranging from Byrd to Howells and Duparc and has sung as a chorus member with various groups and ensembles around the UK and abroad. Paul has taken part in opera scenes, masterclasses and performed the role of ‘Spirit” in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas alongside Catherine Bott. He has been very fortunate to have been taught by leading countertenors such as James Bowman, David Hurley, and Andrew Watts. After completing an MMus at Southampton University he is now a PhD candidate researching historical soundscapes under the supervision of Thomas Irvine and David Owen Norris.
Away from music Paul enjoys spending time with his three young children and practises the art of aikido in which he has a first degree blackbelt.
Paul is thrilled to be the new director of the Winchester City Festival Choir and is looking forward to being a part of their next chapter.
