Director of Music
Michael McCarthy
Michael McCarthy
Michael McCarthy was appointed Cathedral director of music in the summer of 2003. He was the founder and director of the London [England] Oratory School Schola. Founded in 1996, the Schola quickly became one of London’s premier boys concert choirs, performing regularly on the London concert platform and in the studio for both the recording and film industries. Mr. McCarthy directed the Schola in recordings for films including Sleepy Hollow, The Lord of the Rings cycle, and Harry Potter.
A graduate of Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Mr. McCarthy has worked with numerous professional choirs including The Sixteen, The Gabrieli Consort, and the Monteverdi Choir under the direction of Sir John Eliot Gardiner. In January 2002 he became the choir manager for The Monteverdi Choir. His experience directing young choristers includes duties as lay clerk at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, and Saint Alban’s Abbey in Hertfordshire. He also served as master of music at Saint Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing, prior to beginning the London Oratory School.
As director of music Mr. McCarthy oversees the Cathedral’s expanding music program, as well as serves as principal choirmaster.