Geoffrey Woollatt, the Sub-Organist at Manchester has been appointed Director of Music at Bradford Cathedral from next term. Many congratulations to Geoff.
All at Manchester Cathedral will miss him greatly, none more so than the Voluntary Choir who sing evensong, conducted by Geoff, every Sunday. His last Sunday in Manchester will be July 6th but final farewells from the ‘Vollies’ will be made later as he is conducting the choir on its away weekend singing the services in Lincoln Cathedral at the end of August.
Ben Collyer has been appointed as the new Sub-Organist. Ben is a former student at Chetham’s School and also a former organ pupil of Christopher Stokes, Manchester Cathedral Organist and Master of the Choristers. He is currently Assistant Director of Music at St Michael, Cornhill and Organ Fellow of Sinfonia Smith Square.
Ben said:
“I am honoured to be taking up the role of Sub-Organist at Manchester. Having grown up in this wonderful city, I know what a special, vibrant place it is. I am greatly looking forward to returning home and making music for you all!”
Christopher Stokes said:
“I am delighted that Ben Collyer has accepted the position of Sub-Organist, in succession of Geoffrey Woollatt. Since leaving Chetham’s School, Ben has held various significant posts in the profession, including organ scholar at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, as an undergraduate, and Acting Assistant Organist at St Alban’s Abbey. Ben is a musician of great skill and learning, and I look forward greatly to working with him again when he assumes his post in the autumn.”
Bright and early on the morning of Saturday June 7th, Chris Stokes, Canon Ian Jorysz, the Precentor, and I welcomed Jonathan Mayes (with bicycle) at Manchester Cathedral as part of his grand tour. The previous evening Jonathan had attended a choir practice at St Ann’s Church, Manchester; they were recent recipients of a CMT grant. After tea and a chat, Chris briefly played our organ for Jonathan and we then wished him well on his way to Liverpool – via St Paul’s Church Withington in South Manchester, also recent recipients of a CMT grant. If you would like to find out more, or donate to JJ’s Cycle Challenge, please see our blog entry: JJ’s Choral Adventure | Cathedral Music Trust. This is updated with each leg of JJ’s journey!
Graham Curtis
Local Ambassador, Manchester
