St Edmundsbury Cathedral to welcome female music director

Claudia Grinnell, the current sub-organist at Winchester Cathedral, where she has worked since 2017, will take on the role in Bury St Edmunds in time for the new choir term in September.

Ms Grinnell also teaches organ at Winchester College and, prior to moving there, was an organ scholar at Salisbury Cathedral and Peterhouse, Cambridge.

Claudia Grinnell, the current sub-organist at Winchester Cathedral, will become to first female music director at St Edmundsbury Cathedral (Image: St Edmundsbury Cathedral)

She said: "I am delighted to be taking up the role of director of music at St Edmundsbury Cathedral later this year.

"Having received such a warm welcome during the interview process, I am really looking forward to getting to know the Cathedral team and wider community, and continuing Timothy Parsons' fantastic work.

"Though I will be sad to say goodbye after a wonderful seven years in Winchester, I am excited for the move to Suffolk in the summer and all that this new role will bring."

The Very Reverend Joe Hawes, Dean of St Edmundsbury, said: "All applicants for our Director of Music post were of a very high standard, which is a testament to the development of our music programme post-pandemic.

"Claudia not only impressed the appointment panel with her passion and talent but was also very popular with the choristers.

"We are thrilled to welcome Claudia to the St Edmundsbury community when she takes up her new post."

Inside St Edmundsbury Cathedral (Image: citizenside.com)

The director of music, working with the assistant director of music, Richard Cook, has oversight of five choirs, as well as a programme of recitals and concerts.

Ms Grinnell succeeds Timothy Parsons, who has served as director of music at St Edmundsbury Cathedral since 2021. 

It follows his appointment as director of music at Wells Cathedral where he moves this summer.