Music Staff

Director of Music: Philip Rushforth

Philip Rushforth started his musical training as a chorister at Chester Cathedral where he began learning the organ with Cathedral Organist, Roger Fisher. In 1991 he went up to Trinity College, Cambridge as Organ Scholar.  At Trinity he broadcast frequently with the world famous college choir, toured with them extensively in Europe, Canada and the USA and accompanied on many recordings.  Organ studies continued with David Sanger.

Graduating in 1994, Philip took up the post of Assistant Organist at Southwell Minster and became the first director of the Minster Chorale.  For eight years he directed the choir in Southwell and further afield.  In 2001 the Chorale performed J S Bach’s St Mark Passion - the first performance of the work heard in Nottinghamshire.

In September 2000 he was a prizewinner in the prestigious Royal College of Organists’ Performer of the year Award, performing the Poulenc Organ Concerto with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, which was broadcast on BBC Radio 3.  He won many recital awards, including performing at St John’s, Smith Square, King’s College, Cambridge and at the Dublin International Organ and Choral Festival.

In September 2002 Philip returned to Chester Cathedral as Assistant Director of Music.  He works closely with the Cathedral choirs and regularly directs them on CD, Radio 3 and Radio 4’s Daily Service.  In June 2003 he was accompanist to the International Church Music Festival, hosted by Chester Cathedral, working with Sir David Willcocks.  Philip also organises the weekly organ recital series at the Cathedral and performs regularly as a recitalist.  In April 2005 he opened the International Organ Season of Concerts in Cantu, Italy, and in July 2006 will be returning to Italy to perform in Senigallia’s International Music Festival.

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Assistant Director of Music: Ian Roberts

Ian Roberts started musical life as a chorister here at Chester Cathedral and then as a lay clerk before leaving to read music at the University of East Anglia. As a student, Ian held a choral scholarship at Norwich Cathedral and directed the UEA Music Society Singers.

In September 2001, Ian embarked on a year's organ scholarship at Blackburn Cathedral and in September 2002, he moved to Chichester Cathedral for a further year's scholarship.

In September 2003, Ian returned to Chester Cathedral as 2nd Assistant Organist. Besides directing the Nave choir, he plays for services and gives regular Thursday lunchtime organ recitals. 

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