Peter Holder (organist)
British organist and musician (born 1990)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Peter Holder is an English organist. He is the Organist of Christ Church, Oxford.[1]
Sub-Organist of Westminster Abbey
Director of Music of Christ Church Cathedral, OxfordPeter Holder | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1990 |
| Occupations | Organ Scholar of Westminster Abbey
Sub-Organist of Westminster Abbey Director of Music of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford |
| Instrument | Organ |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Website | www |
Education
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
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
Holder's first solo recording, 'Bach ist der Vater, wir sind die Buben' was produced at Neresheim Abbey in Germany.[24]
Discography
- Bach ist der Vater, wir sind die Buben (Fugue State Films)
- Bairstow, Harris & Stanford: Choral works (Hyperion, 2018)
- Dove, Weir & Martin (M): Choral works (Hyperion, 2022)
- Mendelssohn: Choral Music (Naxos, 2012)[25]