In our Meet the People Behind Simply Singing series, we’re introducing some of the people who help make the choir what it is, both in the rehearsal room and behind the scenes.
This time, we’re meeting Euan Lynch, conductor at Simply Singing and the choir’s incoming Music Director from January 2027.
A singer, conductor and musician from Grimsby, Euan’s musical life has taken him from church choirs and youth ensembles to opera stages, university performance and, increasingly, the conductor’s podium.
From chorister to performer
Euan began singing from a young age and later became a chorister at Grimsby Minster, where singing several times each week gave him an early grounding in choral music.
From there, he went on to sing with ensembles including the Opera North Youth Chorus and the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, developing a particular interest in classical singing, opera and ensemble performance.
Opera soon became an important part of his musical experience.
Euan made his operatic debut as Harry in Benjamin Britten’s Albert Herring and later performed in productions including Verdi’s Macbeth, Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus and Puccini’s La Bohème. As a member of Opera North Youth Chorus, he was also involved in the UK premiere of Kevin Puts’ opera Silent Night.
During a period studying abroad in Canada, Euan performed the role of Le Prince Charmant in Pauline Viardot’s Cendrillon with DalOpera in 2024.
Developing as a musician and conductor
Euan studied Music at Newcastle University, graduating with First Class Honours in 2026.
Alongside his degree, he continued developing as a singer and ensemble musician, taking part in Samling Academy and Newcastle University’s New Vocal Ensemble, performing repertoire ranging from Tallis and Howells to contemporary choral music.
Over time, however, another part of music-making began to become increasingly important: conducting.
Having spent years experiencing rehearsals from the singer’s side of the room, Euan became particularly interested in how conductors bring groups of people together, communicate musical ideas and help singers feel confident in what they are doing.
That interest has developed through conducting courses, practical experience and his work with local musical organisations.
He is also Assistant Musical Director with Curtain Up Productions in Grimsby, giving him the opportunity to work with singers in a musical theatre setting alongside his choral conducting.
Simply Singing and what comes next
At Simply Singing, Euan works alongside founder and Musical Director Simon Percy, conducting rehearsals and helping members learn and enjoy the choir’s wide-ranging repertoire.
His approach is shaped by much of his own experience as a singer.
Having sung in everything from church choirs and youth ensembles to opera productions and chamber groups, Euan knows that people arrive at rehearsals with very different levels of experience and confidence.
For him, good conducting isn’t simply about getting the notes right. It is about making music understandable, giving singers the confidence to have a go and creating an atmosphere where people can improve without being afraid to make mistakes.
From January 2027, Euan will become Music Director of Simply Singing, continuing the work Simon began and helping lead the choir into its next chapter.
It is a role that brings together two sides of his musical life: a longstanding love of singing and an increasing passion for helping other people make music together.
A final word
Euan’s musical journey may have started as a young singer in Grimsby, but it has already taken him through choirs, opera, university, performance and conducting.
Now, standing on the other side of the rehearsal room, he is helping other people experience the enjoyment of singing together.
And as he prepares to take on the role of Music Director in 2027, there is plenty more still to come — for Euan and for Simply Singing.
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