https://www.worcestercathedral.co.uk/worship/choirs-organ-bells

Worcester Cathedral Music, Chapter Office, 8 College Yard, Worcester (2026)

12/10/2026

We are delighted to welcome the Kapsetaki Twins to give this week’s lunchtime recital at 12:15pm on Thursday 8th October.

Twin sisters Dr. Marianna Kapsetaki and Dr. Stephanie Kapsetaki began studying piano at the age of nine and won their first international piano competition prize just one year later. They completed their Piano Diplomas with highest distinctions at the age of seventeen and have since studied with distinguished teachers including Christopher Elton (Professor Emeritus of the Royal Academy of Music in London).

Winners of more than 100 awards and scholarships (including 1st prize in 12 national and international piano competitions, Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list, Giuseppe Sciacca International Award at the Vatican, and the Greek International Women Award), they have established an international concert career with over 160 performances throughout Europe (e.g. Cadogan Hall, St John's Smith Square, Athens Megaron Concert Hall, Cheltenham Town Hall, Albert Long Hall in Istanbul, and Stadthalle Graz).

Alongside their musical careers, the Kapsetaki twins have achieved international distinction in science. Marianna is a neuroscientist, university lecturer, and doctor specializing in neurosurgery, with academic training (MD, MSc, PhD, postdoc) at the University of Crete, Athens, University College London, and Imperial College London. Stephanie is an evolutionary biologist who earned her Master's degree and PhD from the University of Oxford and has held postdoctoral research positions in the United States (Boston and Arizona) and Greece.

Their unique combination of artistic and scientific achievement has attracted international media attention, including features by BBC News, The Guardian, and Classic FM. They have released several recordings and continue to perform widely while supporting contemporary music and charitable causes.

Programme:

Nikolai Medtner (1880–1851) — Primavera, Op. 39 no. 3

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943) — Polichinelle, Op. 3 no. 4

Nikolai Medtner — Narrate a piacere, Op. 26 no. 3

Alexander Scriabin (1872–1915) — Affanato, Op. 42 no. 5

Modest Mussorgsky (1839–1881) — Pictures at an Exhibition

Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) — Hungarian Dance no. 3

05/10/2026

We are delighted to welcome Graham Thorpe from Norwich to give this week’s lunchtime recital at 12:15pm on Thursday 8th October.

Graham Thorpe took up the post of Assistant Master of Music and Sub-Organist at Norwich Cathedral in September 2025, where he shares in the accompaniment and direction of the Cathedral Choirs.

Prior to this, Graham was at Bradford Cathedral, where he spent four years as the Assistant and two years as the Director of Music. At Bradford, he directed the choirs for services, tours, recordings and concerts. He was responsible for the strategic planning of the music department, overseeing the introduction of professional Lay Clerks to support the choir, and the Cathedral’s new Youth Choir. He directed the choir in concert on BBC Radio 2, for Radio 4’s Sunday Worship, Songs of Praise, as well as the choir’s Christmas CD and annual Christmas Concert with the Black D**e Band.

Graham studied at the Royal Academy of Music with Clive Driskill-Smith and Susan Landale. He completed his MMus at the Royal College of Music, studying with David Graham and Andrew Dewar, supported by a Richard Newton Scarth Award and a John Birch Scholarship. While in London, Graham held various organist posts, including at the London Oratory and St Michael’s, Cornhill. Graham also has a varied freelance career as a recitalist, accompanist, choral director and teacher. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists and a winner of the Worshipful Company of Musicians F. E. Smith medal. When not at work, Graham enjoys DIY, walking the hills and sampling fine food and ale.

Programme:

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) - Sonata 1, Op. 65, No. 1
i. Allegro maestoso e serioso
ii. Adagio
iii. Andante recitativo
iv. Allegro assai vivace

Edward Bairstow (1874-1946) - Organ Sonata in E-flat major
i. Andante serioso, ma con moto
ii. Allegro giocoso
iii. Maestoso

Iain Farrington (b. 1977) - Every time I feel the spirit

29/09/2026

We are delighted to welcome Ian Rutt from Copenhagen to give this week’s lunchtime recital at 12:15pm on Thursday 1st October.

Ian Rutt grew up in Salisbury, where the sound of the cathedral’s Father Willis inspired him to learn the organ. A degree in Physics (Oxford) and a PhD in Meteorology (Reading) led to a decade-long career as an academic, researching and teaching glaciology, mostly at Swansea University.

However, in 2015 he had the opportunity to become Director of Music at Swansea, leading the university’s extracurricular music service, at the same time as pursuing organ studies at the Royal Danish Academy of Music (RDAM), Copenhagen. This led to a BMus in Church Music in 2018. His teachers at RDAM have included Hans Fagius, Bine Bryndorf, Sven-Ingvart Mikkelsen and Philip Schmidt-Madsen, with masterclasses given by Bernhard Haas, Henry Fairs and Sietze de Vries.

Highlights from his time in Swansea included the opening of the university’s Great Hall auditorium and providing music for the honorary graduation of Hillary Clinton. His role at Swansea came to an end in 2021, and he returned to RDAM to complete a Master’s in 2023.

Since then, he has worked full-time as an organist in the Danish Lutheran Church, at Lundtofte Kirke on the northern fringes of Copenhagen. As well as an organist, Ian is an experienced choral and orchestral conductor and currently directs the student orchestra of the Danish Technical University (DTU).

Programme:

Dietrich Buxtehude (1637–1707): Toccata in F, BuxWV 157

Judith Bingham (b. 1952): St Bride, Assisted by Angels

César Franck (1822–1890): Piéce Héroïque

Gerald Finzi (1901–1956): Forlana (arr. Patirck Gower)

Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829–1869): Manchega (arr. Ian Rutt)

Max Reger (1873–1916): Toccata and Fugue in D, Op. 59 nos. 5–6

26/09/2026

Looking for something special to do tonight?

Join us at Worcester Cathedral at 7.30pm for our annual Gala Organ Recital, featuring internationally renowned organist Martin Baker, former Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral and one of the UK's leading concert organists.

Expect an evening of magnificent music, thrilling improvisation and the extraordinary sound of the Cathedral's Quire Organ.

🎟 Tickets £15 on the door 🎓 Free for students and under 18s 🍷 Refreshments included after the recital

Bring a friend and experience a memorable evening of music in one of the country's most beautiful settings!

26/09/2026

Last chance to book your tickets for our Gala Organ Recital 2026 taking place tomorrow (Saturday 26 September) at 7.30pm.

Celebrating the 18th anniversary of the Cathedral's Quire Organ, international concert organist Martin Baker will perform this year's Gala Organ Concert at Worcester Cathedral.

Born in Manchester in 1967, Martin Baker studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, Chetham’s School of Music and Downing College, Cambridge, then held positions at London’s Westminster and St Paul’s Cathedrals before being appointed to Westminster Abbey at the age of 24. In 2000 he returned to Westminster Cathedral as Master of Music, where for 20 years he was responsible for directing the world-renowned choir in its daily choral programme and busy schedule of concerts, tours and recordings.

Martin Baker is much sought after as an organist, playing frequent solo concerts in the UK and around the world. In addition to playing a wide repertoire he is known for his skill in improvisation, both liturgically and in concert, and was the winner of the Tournemire improvisation competition in St Albans in 1997. He teaches, both repertoire and improvisation, and has appeared on the juries of several international organ competitions. He has served as President of the Royal College of Organists and is an honorary Fellow of Downing College, Cambridge.

His programme will include music by Bach, Howells, Messiaen, and Mendelssohn, as well as an improvisation.

Tickets cost £15, with free admission for students and under 18s. Tickets will be available on the door. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the recital.

Book tickets 👉 https://bit.ly/4Ay2jju

21/09/2026

We are delighted to welcome William Forrest from Bristol Cathedral to give this week’s lunchtime recital at 12:15pm on Thursday 24th September.

William is the Music Assistant at Bristol Cathedral, where he regularly accompanies the cathedral choirs, rehearses the choristers, and acts as Chapel Organist at the Lord Mayor’s Chapel.

Prior to this, he held organ scholarships at Belfast Cathedral and All Saints’ Church, Margaret Street in London, where he worked with Matthew Owens and Stephen Farr respectively. William studied for his Bachelor of Music (2019) degree at Cardiff University and for a Masters in Arts Management (2024) at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, during which he was successively the James Junior Organ Scholar and Assisting Organist at St Martin in Roath, Cardiff.

William’s musical career began in earnest with piano and trumpet lessons, before starting as a chorister at Portsmouth Cathedral in 2006, where he sang for the remainder of his time at school. Past organ teachers have included Oliver Hancock, Robert Court, Matthew Owens, and Daniel Moult. In 2022 William became an Associate of the Royal College of Organists.

Programme:

J. S. Bach (1685–1750): Pièce d’orgue, BWV 572

J. S. Bach: Fugue in B minor on a theme by Corelli, BWV 579

César Franck (1822–1890): Prélue, fugue et variation

George Thalben Ball (1896–1987): Elegy

C. V. Stanford (1852–1924): Postlude in D minor, Op. 105 no. 6

28/07/2026

We are delighted to announce the line-up of performers for our Autumn Lunchtime Recital Series.

The recitals take place on Thursday lunchtimes at 12.15pm, with donations welcomed at a retiring collection.

The series begins on Thursday 17th September with an organ recital by Bas Westerhof.

We look forward to welcoming you to our lunchtime recitals this autumn!

29/06/2026

We are delighted to welcome Eric Choate to give the final lunchtime recital in our summer series, at 12.15pm on Thursday 2nd July.

All are welcome to attend this recital, with donations welcomed at a retiring collection.

Eric Choate is an award-winning organist, composer, and conductor. He is professor of choral and organ music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and gives solo recitals throughout the United States and Europe. He holds the Fellowship Certificate (FAGO) from the American Guild of Organists and is Director of Music at The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin in San Francisco.

Eric’s compositions have been performed by artists including VOCES8, musicians of the San Francisco Symphony, Las Cruces Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, Friction Quartet, and university choirs around the globe. His works are published by E.C. Schirmer, with recordings released on the Arsis Audio and Ulysses Arts labels.

A sought-after conductor, Eric recently made his Carnegie Hall debut conducting Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem with the New England Symphonic Ensemble. 2025-2026 highlights include Marin Symphony, Festival Napa Valley, and the inaugural season of Nebula Consort, a professional chorus for early-career singers.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Composition from St. Olaf College and studied harmony and counterpoint at the European American Musical Alliance in Paris. He later earned his Master of Music studying composition with David Conte at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Eric lives in San Francisco with his wife, soprano Ellen Leslie.

Programme: Tribute & Remembrance

Eric Choate (b. 1990): Fantasie

Ian Venables (b. 1955): Rhapsody in memoriam Herbert Howells

Byron Adams (b. 1955): Suite in Olden Style
i. Sinfonia
ii. Fugue
iii. Siciliana
iv. Rigaudon

David Conte (b. 1955): Prelude & Fugue in Memoriam Nadia Boulanger

24/06/2026

We are delighted to welcome Philip Crozier from Montreal to give this week's lunchtime organ recital at 12.15pm on Thursday 25th June.

All are welcome to attend this recital, with donations welcomed at a retiring collection.

Born in Preston, England, PHILIP CROZIER began learning the piano at six, and was a treble chorister in both Blackburn and Carlisle Cathedral choirs, singing daily choral services. His interest in the organ started very early and he began organ study at the age of sixteen, gaining the ARCO diploma whilst still at school, followed by the LRAM diploma in organ performance within two years. In 1979 he graduated from Cardiff University where he was awarded the Glynne Jones Prize for Organ in 1978 and 1979 and pursued further studies in Paris with the great blind French organist André Marchal in whose memory he performed the complete organ works of César Franck in 1981.

In 1984 he moved to Canada and married the late Sylvie Poirier, an organist and painter, with whom he formed an organ duo team in 1990, becoming known internationally through their concert career and commissioning of organ duets by composers from Canada and abroad and the release of recordings which include three CDs of solo organ works by Petr Eben.

Philip Crozier has given solo recitals extensively in Europe and North America, including the complete organ works of Jehan Alain in Montreal in 1990 (and again in 2011 in thirteen concerts in Europe) and the Canadian première of Petr Eben's Hommage à Henry Purcell in 1995 at the request of the composer.
Philip Crozier is the organist at St. George’s Anglican Church, Montreal and Music Director at Westmount Park United Church. He is the accompanist to the Stewart Hall Singers and l’Ensemble Opus 16 and is in regular demand as accompanist to various choral and instrumental groups as well as maintaining an international career as a solo recitalist.

Programme:

Partite diverse sopra “De Lofzang van Maria” (Magnificat) - Piet Post
- Koraal
- Ricercare
- Aria
- Scherzando
- Pedaalsolo
- Koraal in Canon
- Fugato

Worster Braules - Thomas Tomkins

Five Short Pieces (extracts) - Percy Whitlock
- Folk Tune (No. 2)
- Scherzo (No. 4)

Sonata No. 3 in A major (Op. 65, No. 3) - Felix Mendelssohn
- Con moto maestoso
- Andante tranquillo

- Conradus (Dance) - Tablature of Jan z Lublina (1540)
- (Chorea) Ferdinandi (Dance)
- Proportio Ferdinandi Ulterius (Dance)

Toccata and Fugue in F (BuxWV 157) - Dietrich Buxtehude

Hommage (à la mémoire de Sylvie Poirier) (2014) - Denis Bédard

Prelude in C - Edward Bairstow

17/06/2026

We are delighted that this week's lunchtime recital on Thursday 18th June at 12.15pm will be given by Stelios Sycallides (alto) and David Marlow (tenor).

Stelios and David have been two of our choral scholars this year, and we look forward to hearing them perform as solo singers.

All are welcome to attend this concert, with donations welcomed at a retiring collection.

Stelios Sycallides is currently the alto choral scholar at Worcester Cathedral. Stelios took up this position after studying Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, completing his integrated master’s in the History and Philosophy of Science, with a dissertation on the formal epistemology of mathematics.

While at Cambridge, Stelios sang in Queens’ College Chapel Choir as well as the Schola Cantorum of Fisher House, the university’s Catholic chaplaincy, which specialises in Gregorian chant and accompanies the Latin Mass every Sunday. The latter especially allowed Stelios to pursue his love for early music, which constitutes a significant part of his musical interests along with his fascination for the operas of Richard Wagner.

Next year, Stelios intends to pursue further postgraduate studies at the Institute of Logic, Language and Computation of the University of Amsterdam, where he hopes to complete the Master of Logic.

David Marlow is the current Tenor Choral Scholar at Worcester Cathedral, where he regularly sings in daily services as part of the Worcester Cathedral Choir, alongside performing with the Worcester Festival Choral Society and Cathedral Youth Choir. He will also be singing in this July's Three Choirs Festival.

David began singing in 2014, when he became a chorister in the Worcester Cathedral Choir. During his years as a chorister, he developed a love of singing which he continued after leaving the choir in 2021, becoming a tenor in the then newly established Cathedral Youth Choir.

In his final year of A Levels, he also began singing with Worcester Cathedral Choir at weekends. It was during this time that he decided to take a gap year as a Choral Scholar. David has greatly enjoyed his year at Worcester Cathedral and looks forward to studying Computer Science at the University of York this September.

Programme:

Selection from the Biblical Songs - Antonín Dvořák

i. Slyš, ó Bože, slyš modlitbu mou (Psalm 97)
ii. Hospodin jest můj pastýř (Psalm 23)
iii. Bože! Bože! Píseň novou (Psalms 144 & 145)
iv. Slyš, ó Bože, volání mé (Psalms 61 & 63)
v. Popatriž na mne a smiluj se nade mnou (Psalm 25)
vi. Zpívejte Hospodinu píseň novou (Psalms 96 & 98)

Ständchen - Franz Schubert

Abendempfindung (K. 523) - W. A. Mozart

Silent Noon - Ralph Vaughan Williams

The Singer - Michael Head

O del mio dolce ardor - Christoph Willibald von Gluck

Worcester Cathedral Music

12/10/2026

05/10/2026

29/09/2026

26/09/2026

26/09/2026

21/09/2026

28/07/2026

29/06/2026

24/06/2026

17/06/2026

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