Peter Godfrey

Peter David Hensman Godfrey (3 April 1922 – 28 September 2017) was an English-born New Zealand choral conductor. He was Professor of Music at the University of Auckland and conducted numerous choirs including the Dorian Choir in Auckland, choirs of St Mary's Cathedral and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland and the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, the University of Auckland Festival Choir, Auckland University Singers, the Orpheus Choir in Wellington and the New Zealand Youth Choir.

Early life and education Born in Bluntisham in 1922, Godfrey began his musical career at age nine as a chorister in the King's College Chapel Choir at Cambridge University. He gained a MusB in 1943, a BA in 1946 and MA in 1951. After the choir's tour he renamed the choir the Auckland University Singers, taking them on tour to Australia in 1974. He conducted the choir until 1978 and was succeeded by Peter Watts and Karen Grylls. This was the first time since the 16th century that someone had been a chorister, choral scholar and director of the choir at King's. On his retirement to Waikanae in 1992 he conducted the Kāpiti Chamber Choir and the Kāpiti Chorale as well as playing the organ and conducting the choir at St Michael's Church in Waikanae.

Honours and awards Godfrey was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1978 New Year Honours, and promoted to Commander of the same order in the 1988 Birthday Honours, both for services to music. In 2005, he received a Arts Foundation of New Zealand Icon Award.

Legacy Godfrey had a significant influence on the development and growth of choral music in New Zealand. He has been called "the 'father' of NZ choral music".

Godfrey was the grandfather of New Zealand jazz musician and broadcaster Nick Tipping.