Simon Berridge
For some 40 years Simon has sung with most of the leading professional British
choral ensembles including being a full time member of The BBC Singers and
The Sixteen. He has been able to tour the world and has worked with various
European ensembles including Collegium Vocal of Ghent, La Chapelle Royale
and Group Vocal de France.
Having grown up in Hertfordshire Simon studied music at Trinity College,
Cambridge and was a choral scholar there. He then completed his post
graduate studies in singing at the Royal College of Music in London.
Simon has also recorded extensively with solo recordings for The Sixteen and
other ensembles. His most recent solo recording was on The Sixteen’s
recording of Acis and Galatea which was also toured by The Sixteen. Simon
sang in the acclaimed TV series ‘Sacred Music’ which was recorded for BBC
Television.
Simon’s choir conducting goes back to when he was 16 years old when he
formed his first chamber choir in Hatfield where he grew up. Since then, as
well as performing and teaching singing he has directed many choirs. In the
last few years Simon stepped down from singing regularly with The Sixteen and
is now musical director for Ramsey Choral Society, Northill Community Singers,
Biggleswade Community Choir and Community Voices Water Eaton in Milton
Keynes. He also teaches singing at Bedford School and privately having been
Head of singing for Herts Music Service and Assistant Head of Milton Keynes
Music Service.
During the pandemic Simon completed a diploma in transformational
coaching, and has coached leaders in education and others in leadership roles.
Simon is still involved in the The Sixteen’s educational programme and has led
choral workshops across the country. He is a tutor for The Sixteen’s training
scheme for young professional musicians known as The Genesis Sixteen.
Simon and his wife Rachel moved to Bedfordshire in 2009. They have four
children. When not working Simon likes to escape to the countryside in the
their touring caravan. Occasionally he has even been known to appear from
the caravan in his tails suit ready to perform in a concert!