Edward Higginbottom has directed New College Choir since 1976, through many generations of choristers and clerks. His work with the choir has brought him widespread recognition as a conductor and choir trainer, and he has directed a number of Europe’s leading ensembles, including the Academy of Ancient Music and the European Union Baroque Orchestra. He is also Lecturer in the Faculty of Music at Oxford, his musicological interests playing a major role in many of the choir’s projects. For his contribution to French musical culture he has been decorated Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.