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The Music Department

Philip Rushforth was appointed Director of Music in 2007 and has responsibility and oversight for the Cathedral Choir and in partnership with the Canon Precentor, the delivery of our overall music ministry of the Cathedral.

Benjamin Chewter is Assistant Director of Music. Besides the daily accompaniment of services and assisting with the training of choristers, he has oversight of the Cathedral Nave Choir.

Geoff Woollatt is the Cathedral’s third organist and works across the department accompanying, conducting and assisting with the training of choristers. This was a new appointment in the autumn of 2012 to help maintain and develop the high standard of music at Chester Cathedral.

Director of Music: Philip Rushforth

Philip Rushforth began his musical training as a chorister at Chester Cathedral where he began learning the organ with Cathedral Organist, Roger Fisher and became Organ Scholar in 1987. In 1991 he went up to Trinity College, Cambridge, as Organ Scholar working under the direction of Dr Richard Marlow. At Trinity he broadcast and recorded frequently with the world-famous ....

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Assistant Director of Music: Benjamin Chewter

Benjamin Chewter is the Assistant Director of Music at Chester Cathedral where he is responsible for the accompaniment of the daily services (together with broadcasts, tours and recordings with the cathedral choir); he also assists with the training of the choristers and directs Chester Cathedral Nave ....

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Third Organist: Geoff Woollatt

Geoffrey began his musical career as a chorister at Southwell Minster. During his time in the choir he enjoyed touring with them to Italy, Sweden and Paris. Subsequently he attended Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, where he continued his Organ Studies with Christopher Stokes. In January 2007...

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