This is a list of Westminster Abbey organists, containing the names of the musicians who have been appointed an organist, sub-organist, assistant organist and organ scholar since the sixteenth century. [1] [2]
The Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, is a large, mainly Gothic abbey church in the City of Westminster in London, located close to the Palace of Westminster. [3] It is the traditional site for the coronation of the British monarch, for royal weddings and funerals and for other state occasions. In addition, the organist oversees the music for daily services sung by a choir of 12 professional adults and up to 30 boys from the adjacent choir school, accompanied by a Harrison & Harrison installed in 1937. [4]
Andrew Nethsingha is the current organist and master of the choristers, Peter Holder is the sub-organist, Matthew Jorysz is the assistant organist and Carolyn Craig is the organ scholar. [4]
The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Church of England cathedral in the city of Truro, Cornwall. It was built between 1880 and 1910 to a Gothic Revival design by John Loughborough Pearson on the site of the parish church of St Mary. It is one of only three cathedrals in the United Kingdom featuring three spires.
Sir Sydney Hugo Nicholson was an English choir director, organist, composer, and founder of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) and the compiler of The Parish Psalter.
Simon John Preston was an English organist, conductor, and composer who was admired as one of the most important English church musicians of his generation.
Royal Communications is a branch of the Private Secretary's Office of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom responsible for media relations and communicating with various organisations and authorities on matters to do with The King and the Royal Family. Until early 2014, Royal Communications was known as the Royal Household Press Office.
George Guest CBE FRCO was a Welsh organist and choral conductor.
Stephen Mark Darlington is a British choral director, organist and conductor who served as Director of Music at Christ Church, Oxford, from 1985 to 2018. He is currently interim Director of Music at St John's College, Cambridge. His brother is the conductor Jonathan Darlington.
Sir John Frederick Bridge was an English organist, composer, teacher and writer.
The Choir of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle exists to sing services in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Sir Ernest Bullock (1890–1979) was an English organist, composer, and teacher. He was organist of Exeter Cathedral from 1917 to 1928 and of Westminster Abbey from 1928 to 1941. In the latter post he was jointly responsible for the music at the coronation of George VI in 1937.
Martin Gerard James Neary LVO is an English organist and choral conductor.
James Anthony O'Donnell is a British organist, choral conductor and academic teacher who has been a professor of organ at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music in Connecticut, United States, since 2023.
Andrew Mark Nethsingha, FRCO, ARCM is an English choral conductor and organist, the son of the late Lucian Nethsingha, also a cathedral organist. He was appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey in London in 2023, having previous held similar positions at St John's College, Cambridge, Gloucester Cathedral and Truro Cathedral.
Sir William Neil McKie was an Australian organist, conductor, and composer. He was Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey 1941–1963 and noted for his direction of the music for the marriage of Princess Elizabeth in 1947, and later her Coronation in 1953.
Christopher John Robinson is an English conductor and organist.
Sir George Clement Martin was an English organist, who served at St Paul's Cathedral.
Osborne Harold Peasgood CVO was an organist at Westminster Abbey who played at a number of state occasions in the Abbey, including the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
The list of Diamond Jubilee Honours 2012 was released on 13 September 2012 and made appointments and promotions within the Royal Victorian Order to recognise contributions to the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012. The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood recognising distinguished personal service to the Sovereign, and remains in the personal gift of the monarch.
Matthew Jorysz is an English organist and pianist. He currently serves as assistant organist at Westminster Abbey.