St. Peter's Church
THE ORGANISTS
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Tim Mills: Master of the Music He received his early organ tuition from William Smallman at St. Chad's, Shrewsbury before commencing study at the University of Wales, Bangor. Following graduation in 2003 he was appointed Organ Scholar of S Asaph Cathedral where he accompanied the Girls' Choir and assisted in the vocal training of the young choristers. From January 2004 he was promoted to Acting Assistant Organist following the departure of Graham Eccles and the appointment of Alan McGuinness as the new Mater of Choristers. During this time he was responsible for accompanying the daily offices at the Cathedral together with the many special services. Alongside this work he was tutor for Gwasanaeth Ysgloion William Mathias, the music service set up in the composer's name supplying the counties of Gwynedd, Anglesey and Denbighshire with peripatetic music teachers, From 2001-2005 he was an accompanist for the School of Music at th University of Wales, Bangor. He has accompanied many singers in their degree performance exams both at Bachelor and Masters level, and was also accompanist for the University Chamber Choir. With the choir he has performed many high profile concerts, including a rare performance of the almost unknown Requiem by the French composer Alfred Desenclos (a work very similar to and equally as complex as the Durufle setting), singing with Dame Kiri te Kanawa (for whome Tim was her rehearsal accompanist) and two important recordings for BBC Radio focusing on music for S Cecilia and S Stephen. Together with his work at the Abbey, Tim teaches for the newly founded Sam Baker School of Church Music based at S Alkmund's, Shrewsbury and his own private practice of pupils. He is Education and Training Officer for the RSCM in Lichfield and was organist for the RSCM Cymru recording of RSCM Director General John Harper's setting of the new order for Holy Communion Cymun y Cymry. He is also so-musical director of 'Quindici', a chamber choir who specialise in British choral music. They sing services at cathedrals and give concerts throughout the country. When time permits, Tim (along with two university friends) is the pianist in a Jazz Trio with the peculiar name 'Janet and the Cats'! |
| Nigel Pursey, Associate Master of the
Music Nigel Pursey was born and educated in Kent where he studied the organ under the late Harold Millstead. He subsequently studied at Manchester University and the Royal Northern College of Music. Before moving to Shropshire, Nigel held organists' posts in Ramsgate, Cardiff, Trowbridge and Westbury, and whilst in Wiltshire he founded and directed 'In Ecclesia' a Chamber Choir singing services mostly in the South West. Nigel's specialism is choral accompaniment, and he has held his post at the Abbey since 2000. In addition to his musical outlets he has worked for many years in local government, and was until 2003 Chief Executive of Shropshire County Council, since which time he has assumed a similar position in Staffordshire. Despite the time his work requires of him, he remains committed to his work at the Abbey. He plays for at least one of the Abbey's services each month, but this is often enhanced as he works closely with Tim Mills, the Master of the Music. |
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