Paul-Ethan Bright is a countertenor of Truro Cathedral Choir.
Born in Derby, he became a chorister at the Cathedral at the age of eight, and stayed there until he left for university some ten years later, becoming an alto in the process; his life having been given purpose by listening to a rendition of Orlando Gibbons’ This is the Record of John by one of Derby’s Songmen.
Reading Music at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, Paul-Ethan was appointed not only alto choral scholar but also organ scholar at the Church of St. Peter Mancroft, the largest mediaeval church in Norwich. Here, he was taught by Julian Haggett on the prestigious Collins organ. While studying, he was a mainstay of the University Chamber Choir, and performed the role of The Spirit in North Norfolk Chamber Opera’s 2009 production of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. Paul-Ethan is also a keen bassist, and has been found underpinning the rhythm sections of Swing bands, pit bands for musical and cabaret productions and jam nights wherever he goes. In 2012 he was delighted to perform Bach’s G major cello suite (BWV 1007) in concert at Truro Cathedral on the tenor banjo.
Having been at Truro since graduating in 2011, Paul-Ethan joined Three Spires Singers as haute-contre soloist in Charpentier’s Te Deum, and sang Ich will dich all mein Leben lang from Cantata 117 as part of the Cathedral Choir’s Lutheran Vespers reconstruction in June 2014. He is currently busy planning a summer concert with the current organ scholar, James Orford, which will include American songs from the New England school of the early 20th century.
In the rare moments when he isn’t found singing or playing, Paul-Ethan likes to relax by reading American literature, cooking, and appreciating fine ales and stouts, often all at the same time. In preparing for postgraduate study, he is steadily building a portfolio and writing to a weekly schedule, which can be found at www.asylumsouthwest.blogspot.com
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