JACK Wilson, Miriam Reveley and Aaron Shilson – all of whom are current or former Organists here in Ely – were honoured to be invited to perform in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
In the presence of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, and live on television, Jack Wilson, Graduate Organ Scholar at Ely, was the Organist for the Service of Remembrance in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast. Jack is former Organ Scholar and Acting Assistant Director of Music at Belfast.
Three days later, Aaron Shilson, who until 2021 was Assistant Organist to the Girl Choristers in Ely, was the Organist for the equivalent service in Llandaff Cathedral, where he is now Assistant Director of Music.
Then yesterday, Miriam Reveley, former Chorister and Sixth Form Organ Scholar at Ely, played before the committal service at St George’s Chapel Windsor, where she has just begun her gap year as Organ Scholar.
Sarah MacDonald, Director of Ely Cathedral Girls’ Choir and who has mentored all three Organists, said: “I was thrilled to watch and hear these three wonderful musicians contributing in such critical ways to the past week’s momentous events. The extraordinary training of Cathedral Choristers and Organists all over the country was on show this week in the most public of ways, and it is crucial that music in schools continues to be supported at all levels.”
The Graduate Organ Scholar position at King’s Ely and @ely_cathedral is unique, arising from King’s having set up Ely Cathedral Girls’ Choir to work alongside the Boy Choristers.
Both Choirs now enjoy parity as part of the Cathedral’s Choral Foundation.
King’s also appoints a Sixth Form Organ Scholar, who assists in Cathedral and School Services, and has the opportunity to study with the Cathedral’s world-class Organists. Our current Organ Scholar is Samuel Trueman.