Rachel Mahon will take up the position of William and Irene Miller Organ Scholar at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London for the 2014–15 academic year; she will become the first woman to hold any organist post at St. Paul’s.
A Canadian national, Mahon, age 24, is currently organ scholar at Truro Cathedral. In her native Toronto, she began studying the organ in 2005, was organ scholar St. James’ Cathedral from 2007, and in 2011 became principal organist at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a bachelor of music degree.
Mahon won the Royal Canadian College of Organists’ Competition for Young Organists in 2012, and in 2013 won the Howard Fairclough Organ Competition, and took second place in the Canadian National Organ Playing Competition. She and fellow organist Sarah Svendsen formed Organized Crime, a duo that plays traditional and non-traditional repertoire (often in stilettos).
At St. Paul’s, Rachel Mahon will join organist Simon Johnson and sub-organist Timothy Wakerell in the music department, which is led by director of music Andrew Carwood. The organ scholar of St. Paul’s plays a full role in the musical life of the cathedral, playing for services, recitals, taking choir rehearsals, conducting, and helping with departmental administration, including being the assistant choir librarian.
Related News
