The Chapter of Wells Cathedral is delighted to announce the appointment of Jeremy Cole as its new Director of Music.
Advised by experts in choral music* and selecting from an impressive and international field of prospective candidates, Jeremy displayed a passion, drive, vision, with a quality of musicianship that led to a unanimous decision to appoint him.
Jeremy joined Wells Cathedral in September 2017 as its Assistant Organist; and has led the Cathedral’s internationally renowned choir since late November 2018, becoming Acting Organist and Master of the Choristers in September 2019. He has also taken on the role of Musical Director of the Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society.
Before joining Wells Cathedral Jeremy held positions at St Paul’s Knightsbridge and St Martin-in-theFields in Trafalgar Square, where he was the principal organist, playing for all regular and special services, as well as concerts and special events, and worked as a conductor with its many vocal ensembles. . He combined this role with a busy freelance career as an organist, conductor and piano accompanist. While in London he was assistant conductor and accompanist of the Holst Singers, and worked regularly with leading choirs, and as a repetiteur for solo singers and instrumentalists.
The Dean of Wells, The Very Reverend Dr John Davies said: “Jeremy has been a huge asset to the Cathedral Choir since he was appointed. His personal style, skills and experience have begun to deliver the ‘happy excellence’ in the Choir that we are striving for here at Wells. Jeremy is a trusted colleague and a superb musician. We are all looking forward to working with him very much in his new role”.
The Head Master of Wells Cathedral School, Mr Alastair Tighe said: “I am delighted that Jeremy has been appointed. I look forward to working with him and the whole Cathedral Music Foundation to ensure the unique possibilities available to Choristers, pupils and the wider City and local community through the collaborative work of Wells Cathedral and Wells Cathedral School are enhanced as effectively as possible. Jeremy’s appointment heralds an exciting time in the development of musicmaking in Wells and in Somerset”.
Jeremy Cole said: “I am delighted to be appointed as Wells Cathedral’s new Director of Music. The Cathedral Choir has an enviable and richly deserved reputation for excellence which we will maintain and strive to enhance. I am looking forward to continuing to work with superb musicians and supportive colleagues here in Wells as we take the choir forward into the next stage of its life.”
The trustees of Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust join in offering Jeremy our warmest congratulations. We have enjoyed seeing him at work over the past 12 months and know that he has gained the well-deserved respect and affection of both the choir and wider community. We look forward to watching the Music Foundation continue to flourish with Jeremy at the helm.
Jeremy will be admitted to the Foundation at the Cathedral Eucharist at 9.45am on Sunday 12 January 2020.
* The Chapter was advised by Mr Timothy Noon, Director of Music at Exeter Cathedral and by Mr Hugh Morris, Director of the Royal School of Church Music.