Roger Paul

I love being involved in music - as a performer, teacher, author and examiner. In my most recent post at St Paul's Girls' School I have been lucky enough to collaborate with a wonderful music team over the last 10 years on countless concerts and events both big (Cadogan Hall, St John’s Smith Square, St Paul’s Cathedral) and small (606 Club). Although I play a variety of other instruments, the keyboard family is my forte, whether it be piano, pipe organ, or synthesizer. As you can see from my showreel, I enjoy performing all kinds of music, from Mozart to Metallica, 16th century Renaissance, Film and Theatre, the repertoire is always growing! When I was around 13 years old I realised that I have perfect pitch, which is the ability to quickly hear or recreate given music without needing a reference note. This is something I have used to create arrangements and medleys in my performances, and gives me freedom to change and adapt my playing to the given occasion or situation. Choral music is another great passion of mine, from when I first sang in my local church choir as a boy to directing and accompanying Choral Societies in Stone, Ellesmere and most recently the Colet Choral Society based at St Paul’s. Highlights have included conducting performances of Handel’s Samson, and Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle. I also enjoy creating my own close harmony arrangements (e.g. David Bowie’s Space Oddity and Sia’s Titanium) and have built up a large body of work over the years. I directed a Rhythm & Blues band at St Paul’s, initially covering songs from The Blues Brothers and The Commitments, but more recently numbers by Earth Wind and Fire, Amy Winehouse and Lizzo, appearing regularly at St Paul’s and the 606 Club’s Sunday lunchtime sessions. Teaching is also an important part of my musical life, and I have helped countless students over the years to achieve their potential and give them opportunities to perform. I have taught from KS3 up to A Level Music and Music Technology, also assessing as an examiner in the latter. On the co-curricular front, I have run choirs and ensembles, organised concerts, competitions, visits and music tours to several European countries as well as in the UK. As an author, I have written 3 editions of the IB Music Revision Guide published by Anthem Press, which helped students prepare for the listening and set works paper with detailed analysis and advice on exam technique. I am married to Rebecca and we have a son John (both musicians as well) and two guinea pigs Erica and Marnie.