President - Andrew Millington
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We are honoured to have Andrew Millington as the President of the St Cecilia Singers. A true statesman of English cathedral music, Andrew's experience spans six decades, including a stint at the helm of the St Cecilia Singers while Assistant Organist of Gloucester Cathedral in the 1970s. His infectious enthusiasm and love for music is an ever-present reminder of what our choir stands for.
As well as his enviable career as a cathedral musician, Andrew is highly regarded as a solo organist and recitalist, having played in most of the major venues in the UK. Excitingly, most of his solo recitals broadcast on BBC Radio 3 have been on the organ of our very own Gloucester Cathedral! |
Always versatile, Andrew's experience as a choral conductor is varied and extensive. Even during his early years in Gloucester, he led the Saint Cecilia Singers to win a major award in the BBC competition Let the People Sing. During this time he also conducted Kidderminster Choral Society, Birmingham Bach Society and Aldwyn Consort of Voices. While at Exeter, he also directed the University Cantors, the Exeter Bach Society and Exeter Philharmonic Choir.
Andrew's love affair with church music began as a chorister at the Priory Church of Great Malvern. He went on to the King’s School, Worcester under Christopher Robinson, and Harry Bramma. While still a schoolboy Andrew became accompanist to the City of Birmingham Choir, at the same time gaining valuable experience playing for services at Worcester Cathedral.
He became organ scholar of Downing College, Cambridge in 1971, where his teachers included David Willcocks, George Guest and John Rutter. He graduated in Music in 1974, having also achieved his FRCO diploma.
In 1975 he was appointed Assistant Organist of Gloucester Cathedral under John Sanders, together with a teaching post at the King’s School. At this point, he became Musical Director of the St Cecilia Singers, a time he remembers with great affection. This was a pivotal time for Andrew and during the following seven years he developed a varied career as organist, teacher and conductor, directing no fewer than four choirs in the Midlands area. At the Three Choirs Festival, he was the organist of the Gloucester Festivals of 1977 and 1980, working with major orchestras and involved in many new commissions.
In 1983 Andrew became the third person to hold the post of Organist of Guildford Cathedral where he stayed for 16 years. He directed the choir through daily services, numerous recordings and broadcasts, tours to Europe and North America, and an appearance at the BBC Proms. He was also closely involved with the Guildford International Music Festival, and was Diocesan Organ Advisor and Chairman of the RSCM Guildford Area.
In 1999 he moved to Exeter Cathedral, taking responsibility for all aspects of the Cathedral’s music. Under his direction the Cathedral Choir developed to perform a varied and adventurous repertoire, made numerous recordings and toured Russia, Norway and the USA.
Other musical activities include work for the Royal School of Church Music: in 1989 he directed a summer course in South Africa and has led a number of courses and events in the UK. As a teacher he has worked at the universities of Surrey, London and Exeter. He is a past President of the Cathedral Organists’ Association and an examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.
An active composer, Andrew has had a number of choral pieces published. His beautiful setting of Sir Walter Raleigh's poem 'Give me my Scallop Shell of Quiet' was performed for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh when they visited Exeter Cathedral. You may also remember our performance of Andrew's beautiful arrangement of Silent Night in the cathedral last Christmas.
Andrew is married to the well-known textiles artist Madeleine Millington, who is an enthusiastic supporter of the St Cecilia Singers. They have three grown-up children and have recently become grandparents for the first time. Andrew and Madeleine regularly attend our concerts. If you see them, they are always happy to chat about music, sport, gardening and walking, but especially Andrew's beloved Aston Villa FC and his local team, Exeter City.
Andrew's love affair with church music began as a chorister at the Priory Church of Great Malvern. He went on to the King’s School, Worcester under Christopher Robinson, and Harry Bramma. While still a schoolboy Andrew became accompanist to the City of Birmingham Choir, at the same time gaining valuable experience playing for services at Worcester Cathedral.
He became organ scholar of Downing College, Cambridge in 1971, where his teachers included David Willcocks, George Guest and John Rutter. He graduated in Music in 1974, having also achieved his FRCO diploma.
In 1975 he was appointed Assistant Organist of Gloucester Cathedral under John Sanders, together with a teaching post at the King’s School. At this point, he became Musical Director of the St Cecilia Singers, a time he remembers with great affection. This was a pivotal time for Andrew and during the following seven years he developed a varied career as organist, teacher and conductor, directing no fewer than four choirs in the Midlands area. At the Three Choirs Festival, he was the organist of the Gloucester Festivals of 1977 and 1980, working with major orchestras and involved in many new commissions.
In 1983 Andrew became the third person to hold the post of Organist of Guildford Cathedral where he stayed for 16 years. He directed the choir through daily services, numerous recordings and broadcasts, tours to Europe and North America, and an appearance at the BBC Proms. He was also closely involved with the Guildford International Music Festival, and was Diocesan Organ Advisor and Chairman of the RSCM Guildford Area.
In 1999 he moved to Exeter Cathedral, taking responsibility for all aspects of the Cathedral’s music. Under his direction the Cathedral Choir developed to perform a varied and adventurous repertoire, made numerous recordings and toured Russia, Norway and the USA.
Other musical activities include work for the Royal School of Church Music: in 1989 he directed a summer course in South Africa and has led a number of courses and events in the UK. As a teacher he has worked at the universities of Surrey, London and Exeter. He is a past President of the Cathedral Organists’ Association and an examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.
An active composer, Andrew has had a number of choral pieces published. His beautiful setting of Sir Walter Raleigh's poem 'Give me my Scallop Shell of Quiet' was performed for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh when they visited Exeter Cathedral. You may also remember our performance of Andrew's beautiful arrangement of Silent Night in the cathedral last Christmas.
Andrew is married to the well-known textiles artist Madeleine Millington, who is an enthusiastic supporter of the St Cecilia Singers. They have three grown-up children and have recently become grandparents for the first time. Andrew and Madeleine regularly attend our concerts. If you see them, they are always happy to chat about music, sport, gardening and walking, but especially Andrew's beloved Aston Villa FC and his local team, Exeter City.
Vice-presidents
David Briggs is a former Director of Music at Gloucester Cathedral, and is now a freelance organist and composer, based in Canada.
Andrew Nethsingha is a former Director Of Music at Gloucester Cathedral, and is now Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey.
Adrian Partington is currently Director Of Music at Gloucester Cathedral, and also Chorus Master for the BBC National Chorus of Wales.
Janet Sanders was a member of the choir for many years. Her husband, John Sanders, conducted the choir when he was assistant organist at Gloucester, and then became our president when he returned to Gloucester as Director of Music.
Of Orpheus now no more let poets tell;
To bright Cecilia greater power is giv’n:
His numbers rais’d a shade from Hell,
Hers lift the soul to Heav’n.
From 'Ode for Music on St. Cecilia’s Day' Alexander Pope
To bright Cecilia greater power is giv’n:
His numbers rais’d a shade from Hell,
Hers lift the soul to Heav’n.
From 'Ode for Music on St. Cecilia’s Day' Alexander Pope