Peter Holder (organist)

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Peter Holder is an English organist. He is the Organist of Christ Church, Oxford. [1]

Contents

Peter Holder
Born1990 (1990)
Bewdley
OccupationsOrgan Scholar of Westminster Abbey

Sub-Organist of Westminster Abbey

Director of Music of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
InstrumentOrgan
Years active2017–present
Website www.peterholdermusic.co.uk

Education

Holder was educated as a chorister at Worcester Cathedral and at the King's School, Worcester. [2] He passed the exams for Associateship of the Royal College of Organists (ARCO) in 2009, winning the Limpus, Frederick Shinn, Durrant, and Lord St Audries Prizes. [3] At the Royal Academy of Music in London, he undertook undergraduate and post-graduate studies, graduating in 2013 with HRH Princess Alice the Duchess of Gloucester’s Prize for exemplary studentship and winning the John Booth Prize in 2014, [4] and was appointed Pidem Organ Fellow in 2014 and an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in 2016. [4]

Career

Holder held organ scholarships at Southwell Minster (2008–09), [5] the Royal Hospital Chelsea (2009), [6] St Albans Cathedral (2010–12) [7] and Westminster Abbey (2012–14). [8] [9] In 2014, he became the Sub-Organist of St. Paul's Cathedral, during which time he staged and performed in two Grand Organ Galas. [10] [11]

In October 2017, Holder became Sub-Organist of Westminster Abbey. [9] [12] Holder was the organist for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on 19 September 2022 at Westminster Abbey, [13] [14] as well as for the service of thanksgiving for Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on 29 March 2022. [15]

In addition to his role as Sub-Organist, Holder is also an international recitalist. [16]

In the opening concert of the BBC Proms 2019 season at the Royal Albert Hall, Holder was the organ soloist in the Glagolitic Mass by Leoš Janáček, conducted by Karina Canellakis. [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] In 2021, as part of the Royal Albert Hall's 150th anniversary celebrations, Holder performed a solo organ recital at the Proms. [22]

In June 2022, Holder joined the Board of Trustees for The Eric Thompson Charitable Trust for Organists and Organ Music. [23]

Holder is also an organ tutor at the Royal Academy of Music. [4]

He was appointed organist of Christ Church, Oxford in May 2024. [1]

Recordings

Holder's first solo recording, 'Bach ist der Vater, wir sind die Buben' was produced at Neresheim Abbey in Germany. [24]

Discography

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References

  1. 1 2 "Christ Church announces appointment of new Organist". Christ Church, University of Oxford. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  2. "Former city school student's prestigious role at the Queen's funeral". Worcester News. 19 September 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  3. "RCO News: RCO announces summer 2009 examination results". www.rco.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  4. 1 2 3 "Organ". Royal Academy of Music. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  5. "'Immensely proud' of organist at Queen's state funeral". Newark Advertiser. 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  6. "Organ Scholarship". Royal Hospital Chelsea. 2013-08-01. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  7. "Member Records – St Albans Cathedral Ex‑Choristers Association" . Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  8. pixeltocode.uk, PixelToCode. "Peter Holder". Westminster Abbey. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  9. 1 2 "Peter Holder to become Westminster Abbey sub-organist". Rhinegold. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  10. "Classical Events: Grand Organ Gala". Classical Events. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  11. St Paul's Cathedral 2017 Organ Series , retrieved 2022-09-21
  12. "Peter Holder (organ) on Hyperion Records". Hyperion Records. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  13. pixeltocode.uk, PixelToCode. "The State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II". Westminster Abbey. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  14. "Who is Peter Holder, the sub-organist at Westminster Abbey?". Classical Music. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  15. pixeltocode.uk, PixelToCode. "The life of The Duke of Edinburgh celebrated at Service of Thanksgiving". Westminster Abbey. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  16. "Peter Holder". www.peterholdermusic.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  17. "Prom 1: First Night of the Proms". BBC Music Events. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  18. Richard Morrison (22 July 2019). "Prom 1: First Night of the Proms; Prom 2: Bamberg SO/Hrusa". The Times . p. 11.
  19. Paul Driver (28 July 2019). "Vault of heaven; The Royal Albert Hall's cavernous acoustic came into its own at the start of the Proms, says Paul Driver". The Sunday Times . p. 22.
  20. "Organ Recital". BBC Music Events. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  21. Christopher Follett (1 November 2021). "BBC Proms 2021". The Organ . No. 398. p. 60.
  22. "Organ Recital". BBC Music Events. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  23. "Peter Holder joins the Eric Thompson Trust". www.cathedralmusictrust.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  24. Maxim, Christopher (March 2020). "Bach ist der Vater, wir sind die Buben". Organists' Review. p. 62. ProQuest   2434043699.
  25. Stephen Pritchard (30 September 2012). "Mendelssohn: Choral Music – review". The Observer . Retrieved 30 September 2022.