Music Director, Phil Wilcox
Phil Wilcox is an experienced and dynamic choral director with a passion for bringing singers together to create engaging and expressive performances. With a versatile career spanning choral leadership, opera and concert performance, and animateurship, he is known for his ability to inspire and develop singers of all levels and to lead them confidently in performance. He is a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music, committed to fostering musical excellence within a supportive and inclusive environment.
Phil is excited to take up the baton with East Grinstead Choral Society from September 2025 and looks forward to making music together and programming interesting and challenging concerts. Known for his inclusive and encouraging style, he places strong vocal foundations at the heart of ensemble singing, empowering choirs to perform with passionate musicality. His rehearsals are energetic and purposeful, aiming to support singers in developing confidence, musical understanding, and above all, enjoyment through expressive communication.
In addition to his work with EGCS, Phil conducts Fleet Singers, a community choir in Gospel Oak, and leads three workplace choirs in the City of London through Music in Offices. He is also the Learning and Participation Manager for Leeds Song, where he designs and delivers creative projects that bring the world of Art Song to new and diverse audiences. This work includes school-based programmes, workshops for adults with learning disabilities, and imaginative pop-up performances that bring classical song into everyday spaces. Phil aims to show that classical music is an exciting and illuminating art form, available to everyone and full of compelling characters and stories.
As a vocal animateur and workshop leader, Phil has collaborated with English Touring Opera, Royal Opera and Ballet, English National Opera, Opera North, Opera Holland Park Inspire, Waterperry Opera, the BBC Singers, Leeds College of Music, and Hull University, among others.
Phil trained as a baritone at Leeds College of Music and subsequently at the Royal Academy of Music. His flourishing singing career includes operatic roles with English Touring Opera, Waterperry Opera, Buxton International Festival, Opera Holland Park, Northern Opera Group, Grange Park Opera, and others. On the concert platform, he has appeared as a soloist across the UK and internationally.
Recent ensemble work includes appearances with Opera North, the BBC Singers, and the Philharmonia Chorus, as well as solo performances for the Royal Shakespeare Company in London and New York.
When not on the concert platform, in rehearsal, or leading a workshop, Phil is a regular performer on the UK ceilidh scene, playing piano accordion and bass guitar.
Phil says: “I can’t wait to join you all in September. We’re hitting the ground running with an excellent season of music planned, and I’m looking forward to leading the choir, learning all of your names (wish me luck!) and working closely with Craig.”
Assistant Music Director, Craig Hudson
Craig was appointed as Assistant Music Director in May 2024 and then suddenly found himself taking up the baton as Interim Music Director to prepare the choir for its extremely successful performance of HMS Pinafore in July.
Craig grew up in Poole, Dorset, learning piano and trumpet from the age of 8. Scholarships to Clayesmore Preparatory and Senior Schools followed, where he took up the organ. After attaining the ARCO diploma, Craig went on to read maths and music at St John’s College, Cambridge.
From 2005 to 2012, Craig worked at All Souls Church, Langham Place, combining his Christian faith with his love for music and children’s work. Highlights included conducting the All Souls Orchestra and Choir, playing in Prom Praise concerts throughout the UK, and getting young people involved in music.
Since 2012 Craig has been Music Director at St John’s Church, Tunbridge Wells, a role which he combines with teaching and performing. He enjoys working in many different musical styles, from choral music to jazz. He has directed the 9 voice ladies choir Mums n’ Roses since 2013, and has accompanied Royal Tunbridge Wells Choral Society since January 2017.
Craig says: “I’m really looking forward to the upcoming season, working with EGCS and new MD, Phil Wilcox, and hope to be around for many years to come!”
Our Trustees
Trustees are elected by choir members at the AGM in September; they make decisions about how the choir is run and are answerable to the members. All Trustees step down at the AGM in September and are free to put themselves forward for re-election for the following season.
Chair: Janet Cole
Vice-Chair: vacant
Hon Secretary: Judi De Lang
Hon Treasurer: Sheila Walsh
Trustee: Penny Austin
Trustee: Kate Draper
Trustee: Gill Wilton