M.A., San Jose State University; B.Mus., London University, England; G.R.S.M.; Dip. R.A.M.; L.R.A.M.; Royal Academy of Music, England; A.R.C.O., Royal College of Organists, England; Ph.D candidate, Cardiff University, Wales.

Paul M Ellison, lecturer in music history, joined the San Francisco State University music department in the fall of 2002, where he teaches music history. A native of Liverpool, England, he was educated at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied organ with Christopher Bowers-Broadbent, gaining the recital Diploma for Organ Performance, and harpsichord with Virginia Black; London University; Queens' College, Cambridge; San Jose State University, where he took an M.A. in musicology, and Cardiff University, Wales, where he is currently completing Ph.D studies. His thesis, which will be submitted in December 2007, is on key characteristics and meaning in Beethoven's vocal music.

During his time in London, he was assistant organist at St. Pancras' Church, and later director of music and organist at St. Mary's Church, the Boltons, in London's fashionable Chelsea, while also maintaining a successful freelance career as organist and choral director.

In 1988, he   emigrated to San Francisco, and since 1990 he has been director of music and organist at Church of the Advent of Christ the King, the city's historic Anglo-Catholic shrine. There he directs the church's distinguished professional choir, Schola Adventus, to much acclaim in a comprehensive repertoire of choral music, ranging from Gregorian chant to premiers of contemporary works. The emphasis is on Renaissance polyphony. Schola Adventus have performed at various venues in the Bay area, and toured southern England in December 2005, singing services at Christchurch Cathedral, Oxford and All Saints' Margaret Street, and performing a major concert at St. John's, Smith Square, as part of the 2005 Hazard Chase Christmas Festival. Schola Adventus released their first CD: Palestrina for Eight Voices in November 2006 on the Four Winds label, which features the first ever recording of the Renaissance master's great Missa Confitebor tibi, Domine, together with a selection of eight-part motets.
Link: www.advent-sf.org/schola_adventus.htm
Paul is also organist and choir director at Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, a faculty member and choir director at St. Matthew's Episcopal Day School, San Mateo, and assistant editor of The Beethoven Journal, the periodical of the American Beethoven Society, where he has published several articles and reviews.

Link: http://www.advent-sf.org