St George's Cathedral, Cape Town

Announcing the appointment of the Cathedral Director of Music

It is with pleasure that the Dean announces the appointment of the Cathedral Director of Music, with thanksgiving for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the hard work of the Selection Committee that began the search process in July last year.

The Dean has accepted the recommendation of the Committee which was endorsed by the Cathedral Council, and has appointed

Mr David Orr
music teacher, choral director and chapel organist
at St Ann's Diocesan College, Hilton,
as the next Cathedral Director of Music.
Mr Orr will assume his new position towards the end of October.

Mr Orr, who was born in Cape Town, holds a M. Mus (Performance Organ), B. Mus with distinction, University Licentiate in both Performance and Teaching – all from Rhodes University, Grahamstown. After leaving University he has served as a Music teacher, first at Epworth High School in Pietermaritzburg and since 2003 at St Anne's Diocesan College.

Mr Orr comes to the Cathedral with considerable experience as a choral trainer and conductor, performer and teacher.

He was selected from among 11 candidates by a Selection Committee appointed by the Dean in consultation with Prof Peter Klatzow, a Cathedral parishioner and now Director of the South African College of Music, and Mr Don Oliver, then Cathedral Warden.

The Committee members are: Ms Diane Abrahams, Cathedral Parishioner and Chorister, Mr James Dickenson-Barker, Cathedral Parishioner and Chorister, Ms Marianne Fenestrate, Cathedral Parishioner and Prof of Music, Mrs Karen Fleischer, Cathedral Parishioner and Chorister, Mrs Sylvia Gemmel, Cathedral Parishioner, Mr Barry Hart, Headmaster of St George's Grammar School, Mr Lungile Jacobs, Choral Director and City Musician, Miss Lesley Jennings, Cathedral Parishioner and Chorister, Mr Frank Leary, then Director of the South African College of Music, Ms Desiré Martin, Cathedral Parishioner, Ms Nuala Moore, Cathedral Parishioner, Mrs Margaret Selberg, Cathedral Parishioner and Chorister. Prof Klatzow and Mr Oliver served as co-chairs of the Selection Committee. The Canon Precentor was appointed as Staff Liaison.

It has been decided to upgrade the position of Assistant Organist in scope and remuneration to Cathedral Organist while retaining it as a part-time position. This new position was offered to Mr Grant Brasler, who has unfortunately for the Cathedral, declined the offer. The Selection Committee will meet later this morning to decide on the process by which to fill that position.

With this appointment the Cathedral embarks on a new chapter in its remarkable history, building on a tradition of glorious music and standing on the shoulders of a long line of Cathedral Directors of Music who have served with talent and skill, dedication and generosity. We celebrate the past and welcome the future. May God who has guided us throughout our history lead us to be what God calls us to be.

Sunday, 1 July 2007

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