James Lancelot, master of the choristers and organist of Durham Cathedral, UK, has announced his impending retirement in August, after a 32-year tenure at the Cathedral. Prior to his coming to Durham, Lancelot was sub-organist at Winchester Cathedral and organ scholar at King’s College, Cambridge. As a child, he was a chorister at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, where he sang at the state funeral of Winston Churchill.
Under Lancelot’s leadership the choir of Durham Cathedral toured to Brazil, the United States, France, and elsewhere in Europe. In 2003, he founded the Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers. The Cathedral Choir was expanded in 2009 with the admission of girl choristers. He holds an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal School of Church Music, the Guild of Church Musicians, and St. Chad’s College, Durham University; in addition, Durham University conferred an honorary Doctorate of Music on him. From 1987 to 2013 he was conductor of the Durham University Choral Society and continues as Durham University Organist.
Lancelot is a past president of the Incorporated Association of Organists and was a recipient of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Cranmer Award for Worship, recognizing his contribution to the continuation of the choral tradition through his time at Durham and his previous positions. He will continue as a recitalist in both Britain and abroad.
Photo: James Lancelot at Durham Cathedral organ (photo credit: David Wood)
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