| War March of the Priests | F Mendelssohn |
| Prelude and Fugue in C minor (Op37) | F Mendelssohn |
| Priere et Berceuse (Op27) | A Guilmant |
| Symphony No. 5 (Op42) | Charles-Marie Widor |
| i Allegro vivace | |
| ii Allegro cantabile | |
| iii Andantino quasi allegreto | |
| iv Adagio | |
| v Toccata | |
| Improvisation (on themes suggested by the audience) |
Robert Poyser was born in Gloucester in 1979 where he was a chorister in the Cathedral Choir and also held a Sixth Form Organ Scholarship. From 1997 Robert studied at the University of Hull, reading music from where he graduated in 2000 with a first class degree. During his time at Hull he was organ scholar at Beverley Minster and also Director of the University Chapel choir.
During 2000 Robert gained his ARCO and also recorded a CD with the choir of Rugby Parish church of English twentieth century choral music. He has been on two concert tours of Germany as accompanist and soloist with Bridlington Priory Choir and the Stamford Bridge Singers.
During a period of three years from 2000 Robert was organ scholar, then sub–organist at York Minster and also Director of Music at York Minster School moving to Chelmsford Cathedral to be the Assistant Director of Music in 2003. Whilst at Chelmsford, Robert directed the Consort (the Cathedral’s girls choir), accompanied the Cathedral services and directed the Cathedral’s orchestra. In that period, the choir recorded two CDs, appeared on BBC television and toured to France, Belgium, Yorkshire and various exciting parts of Essex! During his time at Chelmsford, Robert was musical director of Braintree Choral Society and accompanist and soloist to many local choirs.
In August 2008, Robert moved to take up the post of Director of Music at St Mary’s Church, Portsea in Portsmouth and is delighted to have succeeded Dr Alan Spedding as Director of Music at Beverley Minster in March of this year.
As a recitalist Robert has performed regularly in the past year – venues including Chelmsford Cathedral, Bradford Cathedral, Bristol Cathedral, Portsmouth Cathedral and Guildhall and others, as well as appearing with cellist Clare Little and as half of a piano duet with pianist Rachel Mathieson.