David Cynan Jones

Confirmation via the Blackburn Cathedral website of the appointment of John Robinson, former Organ Scholar at St John's College Cambridge and Assistant Organsit at Carlisle and Canterbury Cathedrals currently in America as Director of Music at St. Paul’s Choir School, Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts. He succeeds Sam Hudson who leaves for Worcester Cathedral. https://www.blackburncathedral.com/new-director-of-music/

Some current and past members of this choir list themselves as Lay Clerks on their social media accounts. The plot thickens .......

This in the Church Times Jobs this morning https://jobs.churchtimes.co.uk/jobs/Director-of-Music--in-London-and-Home-Counties-jn6955

An announcement from Worcester Sam Hudson currently Organist and Master of the Choristers at Blackburn Cathedral appointed O&MC at Worcester succeeding Peter Nardone who left his position in September to pursue a freelance career.

Edmund Aldhouse, currently Assistant Organist at Ely, was announced as the new Director of Music during the morning service yesterday at Ely. He succeeds Paul Trepte who announced his intention to retire at Easter earlier this year. Here's the confirmation via the website.

Looking at the Worcester Cathedral Service list for September it seems that James Lancelot is named as Interim Director of Music following Dr Peter Nardone's unexpected departure mentioned earlier in this thread. I, for one, am pleased that the Foundation will have someone of his calibre to lead them through what must be a difficult time until the process of electing a successor to Dr. Nardone is completed. Our thought and prayers must go out to all who sing and serve at Worcester.

Here's an article from the Worcester News

It's been widely reported on Social media that former Organist and Master of the Choristers at Worcester Cathedral died earlier today. Tonight's performance of Brahms Ein Deutches Requiem at the Three Choirs Festival at Hereford is dedicated to his memory.

Another with a St Paul's connection New Assistant Director of Music

This appeared this morning on Twitter. http://www.rhinegoldjobs.co.uk/job/8605/director-of-chapel-music?utm_source=notification&utm_medium=email&utm_content=content-listing-link&utm_campaign=listing-approved

I also think that a great deal of credit should be given to Rev. Gerwyn Capon the Dean for some inspirational leadership in re-establishing the Choral Foundation.

This from the Peterborough Cathedral Website and Facebook page this morning. http://www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/newsarticle.aspx/41/dom

Not quite sure what the circumstances are behind Tom Coxhead moving on but an opportunity to work with a vibrant choral foundation in a beautiful setting in Brecon. https://www.breconcathedral.org.uk/news/could-you-be-our-new-assistant-organist/

White Smoke from the RSCM ..... at last https://www.rscm.com/we-are-delighted-to-welcome-hugh-morris-as-our-new-director/?platform=hootsuite

Members may wish to know that Hazel Davies former organist at Brecon Cathedral and wife of David Gedge has passed away. A celebrated organist in her own right Hazel was a recitalist, pianist, teacher and accompanist. Our thought to to Nicky their son, his wife Kate and the family.

https://www.chchchoir.org/2018/02/new-organist-christ-church/ The rumour train can now stop.

https://www.stpauls.co.uk/news-press/latest-news/st-pauls-welcomes-new-young-and-talented-organists The Music Department of St Paul’s Cathedral are delighted to announce three new organist appointments: William Fox has been appointed Sub Organist from July 2018. James Orford has been appointed William and Irene Miller Organ Scholar from January 2018. Nicholas Freestone has been appointed Acting Sub Organist from January-July 2018.

http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/vacancies/official-studentship-and-organist-christ-church-oxford-association-associate-professorship From this can we assume that Stephen Darlington is retiring having been in post since 1985.

Fake news? Mr Preston left for the Abbey in 1981. It is Stephen Darlington who looks to be retiring after many years service.

Llongyfarchiadau Tom Coxhead, currently Organ Scholar at Ripon Cathedral on his appointment to the post of Assistant Organist at Brecon Cathedral. This taken from the Brecon Cathedral Choir Facebook page Ripon scholar Tom to be cathedral's new assistant organist Thomas Coxhead is to become the new assistant organist at Brecon Cathedral and Christ College. Chester-born Tom has been organ scholar at Ripon Cathedral since 2015, where he regularly accompanies the cathedral choir and assists in the running of the music department. Dean of Brecon Cathedral, the Very Rev Dr Paul Shackerley, said: “Tom is a gifted and skilled organist and talented musical academic with significant enthusiasm and creativity. His gifts will be a positive contribution to the teams he will work with, both in Brecon Cathedral, the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon, and Christ College. "His genuine passion, warmth and enthusiasm will be a positive contribution to the future mission and ministry of the cathedral, diocese, and Christ College. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with Tom, and assure him of my prayers and support." Tom was head chorister in Chester's cathedral choir, and a music scholar at Abbey Gate College, Chester where he also founded chamber choir, The Octavo Consort. In 2012, he was awarded the organ scholarship at Hatfield College, Durham in his first year, and later served as its director of music. The cathedral's director of music designate, Stephen Power, said: "Tom's appointment marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in the life of the choirs and communities at the cathedral and Christ College, and I am looking forward to working with Tom as we strive to bring Brecon's glorious choral tradition to a wider audience." His appointment was also welcomed by Emma Taylor, head of Christ College. "This appointment further strengthens the important link between Christ College and the cathedral, and we look forward very much to the contribution Tom will make to the life of the chapel and the music department at the college," she said. David Cynan Jones

Stephen Power succeeds Mark Duthie (who takes up an appointment to succeed Jeremy Suter at Carlisle) as Director of Music at Brecon Cathedral. Llongyfarchiadau. http://swanseaandbrecon.churchinwales.org.uk/news/2017/05/delight-as-stephen-appointed-cathedrals-new-director-of-music/

Not strictly and appointment but will lead to one I presume http://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/43/section.aspx/37/end_of_an_era_for_our_director_of_music_david_poulter

This from Southwell this morning https://www.facebook.com/SouthwellMinster/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new Rector Chori - Paul Provost, currently Sub Organist at Guildford Cathedral. Paul, who is married to Ruth and has a six-month old daughter, has worked with some of the country’s leading ensembles, and in Europe and the USA. “We are very much looking forward to the move to Southwell, a place for which we have great affection,” said Paul. “I am in particular excited by the musical opportunities and possibilities for development, encouraged by the generosity and friendliness of all I have met so far.” Dean Nicola Sullivan said: "I am delighted at Paul's appointment. He is a creative and skilful choir trainer with a strong sense of faith and vision for how musical excellence supports the mission and worshipping life of a Cathedral. He is keen to promote music more widely across the diocese and will build on the excellence of the Music Foundation already here." The announcement was made today (Jan 29th) during the Patronal Festival Eucharist and Procession at the Minster. Paul, who moves to Southwell after Easter, replaces Paul Hale who recently retired after 27 years as Rector Chori.

Bradford Cathedral facebook page has this - We are delighted to announce that the new Organist and Director of Music at Bradford Cathedral will be Alex Berry, currently Assistant Organist at Magdalen College, Oxford, and Tutor to the Choristers at Magdalen College School, Oxford. He will be joining us in January 2017 to work with Jon Payne ( Assistant Director of Music). Jon has joined us this week and is looking forward to a busy but well planned term with the Cathedral Choir. Alex Berry succeeded Alex Woodrow in 2008 as Organ Scholar at Guildford Cathedral, and has held posts since at Queens' College & Kings' Cambridge, Ely Cathedral and Magdalen Oxford). We have appointed an exceptional musician of really distinguished calibre, who will be capable of inspiring the music department to the highest levels. Alex Berry also takes over the mantle of being the youngest Cathedral Organist from Alex Woodrow. Excellent footsteps to follow Also to be noted Alex and Jon will be replacing Alex and Jonathan! Alex Woodrow has taken up an appointment as Head of Choral Music at Solihull School as of this term.