Simon Wright was born in Sunderland and educated at Chetham's School in 

Manchester, where he was a member of the Cathedral Choir under Allan Wicks. 

In 1967 he was awarded an Organ Scholarship to the Royal Manchester College 

of Music where he studied organ, piano, double bass, accompaniment and conducting. 

At the age of 18 he gained Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists, winning the 

Turpin Prize in the process. In 1971 he was appointed Organist of Ampleforth Abbey 

and Assistant Director of Music at Ampleforth College where he is responsible for all 

the activities of the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. Since 1976 he has been Chorus 

Master of Leeds Festival Chorus. He is a member of the Spohr Trio and since 1978 has 

been pianist and conductor of The Music Serenade. He tours extensively in this country 

and abroad as organist and conductor, his most recent tour being with John Wallace, 

the Principal Trumpet of the Philharmonia Orchestra. He records for the BBC and 

features on several gramophone records.

 

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