When Hilary Punnett ’03 chose the clarinet in Grade 6 at St. Michaels University School — simply because everyone had to pick an instrument — she never imagined it would lead to a life in music. Yet that small decision opened the door to band, orchestra, and the Senior School musicals, and eventually to the organ. Years later, when someone told her she would never make it as an organist, the doubt only lit a fire. Determined to prove them wrong, she built a career that has taken her from Victoria to London, England, and now to one of the most iconic churches in the world: St Paul’s Cathedral.
In August 2025, Punnett began her new role as Assistant Director of Music at St Paul’s Cathedral. Central to her position is bringing to fruition the Cathedral’s newly formed Girls’ Voices Programme — a groundbreaking initiative that, for the first time in 900 years, welcomes girls into its world-renowned choir.
Building the Girls’ Voices Programme
The program is set to become the largest and busiest choral programme in the world, with separate groups of girls and boys who will also join together for major services and events. When those voices unite, it will mark a historic moment — a harmony that reflects both musical excellence and the significance of equal representation on one of the world’s most celebrated stages.
Punnett is now at the doorstep of historic change. She will lead this inaugural group through the early stages of their training. Most are nine to twelve years old, still learning not just the music but also how to balance life in a boarding environment. Watching them find their voices — and their confidence — is central to her work, which will grow alongside the choir itself.
“Representation is huge — St Paul’s is a national icon, and its choir should reflect London,” she said, feeling the significance of this work. “Practically, it doubles what we can do musically, which benefits the Cathedral and audiences alike. But the most exciting part is that about 30 more children will now have the chance to experience something life-changing.”
Establishing this program has required thoughtful planning. Unlike other cathedrals that began admitting girls as choristers decades ago, St Paul’s has always required boarding, which limited capacity. “That’s why it’s taken longer,” Punnett explained, “but it also means we’re building it carefully, with the children’s needs at the centre.”
The audition process reflects that care. Rather than looking for a finished product, the team seeks out potential and a love of singing. Some children arrive with choir experience, others with none. “This isn’t just a tryout — it’s a lifestyle choice,” she said. “We train them intensively, almost like a medieval apprenticeship,” Punnett adds. To widen access, St Paul’s has partnered with local schools and hosted “big sings” to bring children into the Cathedral.
While her current focus is on training choristers and conducting services, Punnett continues to maintain a diverse career. “St Paul’s has three organists, so my role isn’t primarily on the bench, though I do still play recitals and the occasional service,” she notes. “I also conduct outside projects — even opera — because doing different kinds of music keeps me fresh.”
Roots at St. Michaels University School
The foundation of Punnett’s musical growth was laid at SMUS. While she had already been studying piano for years, she had not planned on pursuing music and did not come from a particularly musical family.
“In Grade 6, everyone had to learn an instrument, so I chose clarinet,” she recalls. “Without that requirement, I don’t think I’d have picked up another instrument at all. That decision really pulled me into music — band, orchestra, the pit orchestra for the Senior School musicals. I only started organ at 17, right before finishing SMUS.”
After a year studying history at the University of Victoria, Punnett shifted to music, completing undergraduate and master’s degrees in organ at McGill University before moving to England. “In England, the daily sung-service tradition is stronger and more concentrated,” she explains. “My first year here was a real ‘sink or swim’ experience — new music every day, six days a week. It was intense, but I could feel myself improving constantly.”
Along the way, she carried with her the determination sparked by a dismissive comment early in her career. “That could have crushed me, but instead it fueled me. I thought, ‘No — you don’t get to tell me what I can’t do.’ It gave me drive at a crucial moment.” Today, seeing choristers she taught 15 years ago thriving in their own ways — whether as professional musicians or in entirely different careers — brings her just as much joy.
Ultimately, what excites Punnett most about her new role is the children themselves. “It’s amazing what they can achieve when you set the expectation and give them the tools,” she says. “We’ll build gradually, making sure they’re confident, healthy, and supported. Long term, I want to see these choristers grow into the next generation of leaders — in music or whatever they choose to do.”
Reflecting on her own path, she offers advice to current SMUS students, particularly young women: “Don’t compare yourself to others. Do your best because you love what you’re doing. I didn’t plan a path to St Paul’s — I followed one step at a time. If you focus on the craft and keep going, you’ll find yourself where you’re meant to be.”
Photo: Graham Lacdao, St Paul's Cathedral
