Tim Penrose, singer, choirmaster, organist, teacher and authority on early music, has died of pneumonia aged 64. He began his musical career as a quirister, a treble in the choir of Winchester college. This gave him a lasting passion for choral and church music, and the musicianship, erudition and discipline necessary in his career.
He was inspiring and warm, and often very funny. He treated everyone alike, whether a six-year-old choir novice, an international soloist he was coaching, or the most ordinary member of his choir, like me, whose voice was never really going to come to anything.
Tim was born in Farnham, Surrey. When he expressed a desire to go to a choir school, he was encouraged by his father, Edward, a journalist, and mother, Dorothy. He went on to Trinity College of Music, London, and became one of the foremost countertenors of his time.
In his early career he sang roles in baroque opera, including Purcell's The Fairy Queen and Handel's Semele, but he later concentrated on oratorio and masses, making many recordings and broadcasts for Radio 3. He sang for three years with the Chapel Royal and was a member of the early music group Pro Cantione Antiqua.
In 1988, he became organist and choirmaster at All Saints, West Dulwich, south-east London, continuing his international career as a countertenor while building up the choir that gave All Saints its reputation for splendid music.
When the interior of the Grade I listed church was destroyed by fire in 2000, he staged concerts of baroque music in the Great Hall of Dulwich college to raise money for a pipe organ in the restored building.
Tim taught privately and at Trinity School, Croydon. On hearing of his death, a former pupil wrote: "Your lessons were fun, exciting, and I couldn't wait to hear one of your terrible jokes come out." An adult pupil, speaking of his "life-enhancing capacity" said: "We all lit up through his spark. He made people's lives better."
Tim was supported by his wife, Carol, whom he married in 1986, and daughters, Lucy and Emma; they all survive him.