The Staff
Director of Music - David PoulterThe Chapter of Liverpool Cathedral is pleased to announce the appointment of David Poulter as the new Director of Music. He will have reponsibilty for the recruitment and direction of the Cathedral's vocal ensembles and and for the direction of the Cathedral's music programme. On taking up his appointment in January 2008, Professor Ian Tracey will begin his new role as 'Organist Titulaire', retaining complementary responsibility for the Cathedral's organs and recitals, whilst having more time to devote to concerts, recording, teaching and writing.
david.poulter@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk
david.poulter@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk
Organist Titulaire – Professor Dr Ian TraceyIn 1980 he became the youngest Cathedral Organist in the Country, and was subsequently appointed to his present position of Organist & Master of the Choristers two years later. In the intervening years, he has played most of the major venues in this country, and an increasing number in Europe. Very much in demand in the U.S.A., he has made twenty-two extensive tours, playing in all the major Cities and in 1999 & 2003 undertook major tours of Southern Australia, recitaling, examining and teaching. The year 2004 included concerts in Notre Dame, Paris, California, New York and the Bermuda Festival, and 2005, Seattle, San Francisco and Cologne. Future tours include Australia and the U.S.A..
On the wider musical canvas, he is a frequent broadcaster with the B.B.C. and a regular soloist at the Proms. His recordings on the Cathedral Organ have met with wide acclaim from the critics, and he is a signed E.M.I. and CHANDOS artist. He holds Fellowships from sixteen prestigious musical institutions both here and abroad, including the Royal College of Organists, as one of only 28 Honorary Fellows worldwide. He regularly examines and adjudicates and, over the past 22 years, has conducted 180 concerts with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus. In 2006 the University of Liverpool conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Music, both in recognition of his long and distinguished service to music in Liverpool and of his national and international reputation as a musician.
His other posts include: Organist to the City of Liverpool; at St. George's Hall; Chorus Master to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society; Guest Director of Music for the BBC Daily Service, Professor, Fellow and Organist at Liverpool, John Moores University and past president of the Incorporated Association of Organists of Great Britain.
Sub Organist – Daniel BishopDaniel Bishop is the Cathedral Sub Organist, having studied with Ian Wells and Ian Tracey, formerly been organ scholar for two years, holder of the Neilson Organ Bursary and a Cathedral chorister before that. Daniel plays for the various non-statutory services and concerts held in the Cathedral, and trains both the boy and girl choristers alongside David Poulter. He has also played recitals in many venues across the country. He is a graduate of Huddersfield University and teaches music, music technology, sound recording and songwriting at Liverpool College. His other posts include Assistant Organist at Birkenhead School, where he plays for the various choral services held on a Sunday evening; Assistant music teacher at Wirral Grammar School; and until it's closure, he was the Musical Director of the Myriad Theatre Company, based in Mossley Hill.
Organ Scholar - Sam AustinSam Austin has completed his undergraduate studies (BMus) at the Birmingham Conservatoire and has been the Cathedral Organ Scholar since July 2007. Whilst in Birmingham, he was the Assistant Organist of the Birmingham Oratory and Organ Scholar at Birmingham Symphony Hall. In September, he commences postgraduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music. His duties include assisting in the training of the probationer choristers, assisting at the console for services and rehearsals, and playing for various non-statutory services.
Neilson Organ Bursar – Nicholas MillerNick Miller is the Cathedral’s Neilson Organ Bursar, a post which he has held since 2004. He now studies organ with Ian Wells, having been a Cathedral Chorister for 7 years and Head Chorister for 3 years. He now assists with the Cathedral’s daily services from the organ loft, and trains the probationers of the Cathedral Girls Choir. Alongside his Cathedral duties, Nick is studying for his A-levels at the Liverpool Blue Coat School.
Hon. Deputy Organist – Ian WellsIan Wells is Hon. Deputy Organist, having relinquished his post of Assistant Organist and Choral Conductor in December 2007, a post he held for 25 years. He is Director of Music of Tower College, Rainhill and a regular broadcaster with the BBC on local and national networks. He holds Fellowships from several musical institutions and heads a team of Directors of Music for religious programmes at BBC Radio Merseyside. In addition, he gives recitals both locally and nationally, and has played frequently in France.
Music Department Manager - Rosemary BartonThe Director of Music and the Department are supported by Rosemary Barton, Music Department Manager. Rosemary has had a long association with the Cathedral and, having been a Customer Services Manager in a Utility Company, took up her present position in 2004. She is a musician and a singer in both the Cathedral Occasional Singers and the RLPC, for which she holds the post of Choir Administrator. She is currently studying for an external MA in Professional Management at Lancaster University.
