The next Victoria Hall organ prom is on Saturday, 21st February at noon.
The organist will be Martyn Rawles, organist and assistant director of music at Lichfield Cathedral, where he serves as principal accompanist for the Choral Foundation and musical director of the Cathedral’s Chamber Choir.
He began his musical training as a chorister at St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, later taking up the organ with Anthony Pinel. He was awarded the Burston Organ Scholarship to St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, where he read history, also serving in his final year as assistant organist at the Church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs.
He moved to Gloucester Cathedral as organ scholar for two years, working with the cathedral choirs and other local ensembles, before his appointment as assistant organist at Winchester College. During his time at the college he gained his FRCO, winning the Durrant, Baker, Harding and Limpus prizes. In September 2007 he returned to Gloucester for a term as acting assistant director of music, accompanying the cathedral choir and choral society, directing the Cathedral Youth Choir, and appearing on BBC radio.
In January 2008 he took up the position of sub organist at Lichfield, working with the choirs of the Cathedral and Cathedral School, assisting with musical outreach programmes, and accompanying the cathedral chorus. He became organist in September 2010.
He is president of the Lichfield and District Organists’ Association, musical director for the RSCM Northern Cathedral Singers and the RSCM’s Residentiary Choir, and secretary of the Association of Assistant Cathedral Organists.
The Hanley programme is “Celebration”, C McDowall; “Cavatina”, J Ireland; “Severn Suite”, E Elgar, arr I Farrington; “Melody”, H Bath; “Chaconne”, G Holst, arr H Ley; “Fantasie Choral No. 2”, P Whitlock; “Wedgwood Blue”, A Ketelbey; “March for A History of the English Speaking Peoples”, W Walton, arr T Winpenny.
Organ proms last for approximately 75 minutes and are played on the Grand four manual Conacher–Willis organ. A full specification of the instrument is available free of charge before or after each prom.
Tickets are available on walk up at the Victoria Hall box office on the day for £12.50, concessions £11 (card payments only). Seats are unreserved, and the price includes tea or coffee and a programme.
On Saturday, 22nd March, the performance will be given by Lichfield Cathedral Choir, directed by Ben Lamb with Martyn Rawles as accompanist.
