The conductor and joint-founder of the choir, Matthew Berry studied music at University College, Oxford, where he was Organ Scholar and then Assistant Organist. He has studied organ under David Sanger, David Goode and Ian Curror. After conducting The Oxford Chamber Choir for two years as a student, he founded Commotio in 1999. Having finished his degree he studied post-graduate choral direction with Patrick Russill for two years at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Though he claims not to be a singer, his voice can be heard as part of a skinhead football chorus in the film The Truth about Love! 

While conducting Commotio he has directed a number of UK and world premières, most notably initiating the publication of Pierre Villette’s huge multi-divisi motet Inviolata, premièred by Commotio in December 2002. He has combined his interest in choral music with that of travel, making journeys as far as Cape Town, South Africa, to meet the composer Peter Klatzow, whose choral music the choir recorded in June this year. 

Matt currently works in London for the internet department of a major music publisher. When he is not exploring archives for his next eclectic concert programme, Matt enjoys a game of cricket with Buckhurst Cricket Club in Sevenoaks, preferably followed by a couple of pints of good Kentish ale!

       

Matt poses for the camera.                        Matt working on a score...