Peter Godfrey

Peter David Hensman Godfrey (3 April 1922 – 28 September 2017) was an English-born New Zealand choral conductor. He was Professor of Music at the University of Auckland and conducted numerous choirs including the Dorian Choir in Auckland, choirs of St Mary's Cathedral and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland and the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, the University of Auckland Festival Choir, Auckland University Singers, the Orpheus Choir in Wellington and the New Zealand Youth Choir. Early life and education Born in Bluntisham in 1922, Godfrey began his musical career at age nine as a chorister in the King's College Chapel Choir at Cambridge University. After secondary school at Denstone College, he studied music at King's, where he was also a bass scholar in the choir. He gained a MusB in 1943, a BA in 1946 and MA in 1951. Career in England Godfrey served in World War II in the King's African Rifles from 1942 to 1945. After the war he attended the Royal College of Music then took up teaching positions including Marlborough College where he was Director of Music from 1954 to 1958. Career in New Zealand In 1958 he emigrated to New Zealand to become music director at St Mary's Cathedral and Holy Trinity Cathedral and lecturer in music at the University of Auckland. He was Professor at the university from 1974 to 1982. On becoming a Professor he gave up conducting at the Cathedral due to the workload.