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Peter Holder (organist)

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This article is about the organist. For the publisher and journalist, see Peter Holder.

Peter Holder is an English organist. He is the Organist of Christ Church, Oxford.[1]

Peter Holder
Born1990 (1990)
Bewdley
OccupationsOrgan Scholar of Westminster Abbey

Sub-Organist of Westminster Abbey

Director of Music of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
InstrumentOrgan
Years active2017–present
Websitewww.peterholdermusic.co.uk

Education

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Holder was educated as a chorister at Worcester Cathedral and at the King's School, Worcester.[2] He passed the exams for Associateship of the Royal College of Organists (ARCO) in 2009, winning the Limpus, Frederick Shinn, Durrant, and Lord St Audries Prizes.[3] At the Royal Academy of Music in London, he undertook undergraduate and post-graduate studies, graduating in 2013 with HRH Princess Alice the Duchess of Gloucester’s Prize for exemplary studentship and winning the John Booth Prize in 2014,[4] and was appointed Pidem Organ Fellow in 2014 and an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in 2016.[4]

Career

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Holder held organ scholarships at Southwell Minster (2008–09),[5] the Royal Hospital Chelsea (2009),[6] St Albans Cathedral (2010–12)[7] and Westminster Abbey (2012–14).[8][9] In 2014, he became the Sub-Organist of St. Paul's Cathedral, during which time he staged and performed in two Grand Organ Galas.[10][11]

In October 2017, Holder became Sub-Organist of Westminster Abbey.[9][12] Holder was the organist for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on 19 September 2022 at Westminster Abbey,[13][14] as well as for the service of thanksgiving for Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on 29 March 2022.[15]

In addition to his role as Sub-Organist, Holder is also an international recitalist.[16]

In the opening concert of the BBC Proms 2019 season at the Royal Albert Hall, Holder was the organ soloist in the Glagolitic Mass by Leoš Janáček, conducted by Karina Canellakis.[17][18][19][20][21] In 2021, as part of the Royal Albert Hall's 150th anniversary celebrations, Holder performed a solo organ recital at the Proms.[22]

In June 2022, Holder joined the Board of Trustees for The Eric Thompson Charitable Trust for Organists and Organ Music.[23]

Holder is also an organ tutor at the Royal Academy of Music.[4]

He was appointed organist of Christ Church, Oxford in May 2024.[1]

Recordings

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Holder's first solo recording, 'Bach ist der Vater, wir sind die Buben' was produced at Neresheim Abbey in Germany.[24]

Discography

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Christ Church announces appointment of new Organist". Christ Church, University of Oxford. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Former city school student's prestigious role at the Queen's funeral". Worcester News. 19 September 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  3. ^ "RCO News: RCO announces summer 2009 examination results". www.rco.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  4. ^ a b c "Organ". Royal Academy of Music. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  5. ^ "'Immensely proud' of organist at Queen's state funeral". Newark Advertiser. 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  6. ^ "Organ Scholarship". Royal Hospital Chelsea. 2013-08-01. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  7. ^ "Member Records – St Albans Cathedral Ex‑Choristers Association". Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  8. ^ pixeltocode.uk, PixelToCode. "Peter Holder". Westminster Abbey. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  9. ^ a b "Peter Holder to become Westminster Abbey sub-organist". Rhinegold. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  10. ^ "Classical Events: Grand Organ Gala". Classical Events. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  11. ^ St Paul's Cathedral 2017 Organ Series, retrieved 2022-09-21
  12. ^ "Peter Holder (organ) on Hyperion Records". Hyperion Records. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  13. ^ pixeltocode.uk, PixelToCode. "The State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II". Westminster Abbey. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  14. ^ "Who is Peter Holder, the sub-organist at Westminster Abbey?". Classical Music. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  15. ^ pixeltocode.uk, PixelToCode. "The life of The Duke of Edinburgh celebrated at Service of Thanksgiving". Westminster Abbey. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  16. ^ "Peter Holder". www.peterholdermusic.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  17. ^ "Prom 1: First Night of the Proms". BBC Music Events. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  18. ^ Richard Morrison (22 July 2019). "Prom 1: First Night of the Proms; Prom 2: Bamberg SO/Hrusa". The Times. p. 11.
  19. ^ Paul Driver (28 July 2019). "Vault of heaven; The Royal Albert Hall's cavernous acoustic came into its own at the start of the Proms, says Paul Driver". The Sunday Times. p. 22.
  20. ^ "Organ Recital". BBC Music Events. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  21. ^ Christopher Follett (1 November 2021). "BBC Proms 2021". The Organ. No. 398. p. 60.
  22. ^ "Organ Recital". BBC Music Events. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  23. ^ "Peter Holder joins the Eric Thompson Trust". www.cathedralmusictrust.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  24. ^ Maxim, Christopher (March 2020). "Bach ist der Vater, wir sind die Buben". Organists' Review. p. 62. ProQuest 2434043699.
  25. ^ Stephen Pritchard (30 September 2012). "Mendelssohn: Choral Music – review". The Observer. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
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