St Patrick's Choral | Director

St Patrick’s Choral was founded by David Forde, Organist and Choirmaster of the Church. From Ireland, David studied music and education at Waterford and Trinity College Dublin. 

His earliest musical experiences were in church music, and he played for several Waterford churches, including St. Joseph’s and St. Benildus Parish Church, Newtown and the Waterford Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Church Parish.

David’s principal musical studies are choral direction, harpsichord and organ. He has directed a Renaissance Music consort, and is an experienced harpsichord/organ continuo player, both for ensemble and solo repertoires, and has played at Early Music Festivals in Galway, Lismore and Sligo in Ireland.

As a choral conductor, David’s previous appointments included the position of Choirmaster and Organist at The Whitefriar Street Church in Dublin, one of the city’s only churches to boast a professional Choir. David has also worked as a pipe organ maker, with considerable expertise in the design and construction of organs, and is consulted by churches for advice on organs and music programmes.

David is senior Tutor for Arts & Technology at Bridgwater College, Somerset, where he is also Head of Music Centre. At Bridgwater, David has led the successful growth of a department that has, among other achievements, produced several fully staged operas. Prior to moving to the West Country, David was Director of Music at Blackrock College, Co. Dublin, and Head of Music at Boston College, Lincolnshire.