Organ Festival 2025

Oliver has served as Organ Scholar at St Albans Cathedral since September 2022, where he has played a pivotal role in accompanying various cathedral choirs, including on tour and in recordings. Additionally, he conducts the Abbey Singers and accompanies the St Albans Bach Choir. We eagerly anticipate the contribution he will make to worship and liturgy at Winchester Cathedral.

Richard was awarded the organ scholarship to Magdalen College, Oxford in 2002. During his time there, the Grammy-nominated college choir undertook several recording projects with Harmonia Mundi, on which Richard’s playing was hailed as ‘a force of nature’. More recently, Richard held a Junior Fellowship in the Organ Department of Royal Birmingham Conservertoire and has enjoyed competition success, winning the First Prize and both special prizes at the Breda International Organ Competition.

Between 2017 and 2021 he was Director of the Edington Festival and until December 2022 he was a Fellow and the Director of Music at Jesus College, Cambridge. Prior to his position at Jesus College, Richard was Assistant Director of Music at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. He previously held the organ scholarship at St Albans Cathedral.

Acknowledged as one of Britain’s “most brilliant and exciting musicians” (Leeds Inspired), Joshua has broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, performed on national television, and guest conducted the City of London Sinfonia and The Sixteen. Prior to his role at Winchester Cathedral, Joshua was founding Director of Music at Steel City Choristers, Assistant and Acting Director of Music at Sheffield Cathedral, and Second Assistant Organist at Wells Cathedral. He completed his undergraduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, graduating with a First-Class degree with Honours, studying the organ with Darius Battiwalla and Thomas Trotter.

Dónal McCann is a rising star on the organ recital circuit, currently the Assistant Organist at New College, Oxford, and previously an organ scholar at King’s College, Cambridge. He’s known for his performances, including recitals in Westminster Abbey and Malta, and his debut solo album featuring works by Bach and Walther.