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Friends of Cathedral Music mark Philip Moore's retirement
Published: on 20th November 2007 by Michael Wiles in Minster News
To mark the retirement from the Minster in July 2008 of Philip Moore, Master of the Music since 1983, The Friends of Cathedral Music are commissioning an anthem from him. The FCM, which recently gave a grant of £17,000 to the Minster towards a choristership, wishes to mark all that he has done both for the music of the Minster and for music in a wider context through his composing.Mr Moore has devoted his whole life to music and primarily cathedral music. In 1968, after teaching for 3 years at Eton College, he became Assistant Organist at Canterbury Cathedral. In 1974 he succeeded Dr Barry Rose as Director of Music at Guildford Cathedral and in 1983 he moved to York Minster, succeeding Dr Francis Jackson.
Philip Moore is one of the leading composers in the Anglican Church of the last 50 years. His works are sung regularly in almost all our cathedrals and in those churches that support a musical tradition, including those in the United States of America, the Netherlands and in Australia. Apart from his output for the church and the organ, he has also composed a considerable amount of orchestral and chamber music, plus 3 cantatas for chorus and orchestra.
Readers may be interested to know that a catalogue of Philip Moore’s compositions (almost 400 in number) can be found here on the Minster website under Minster composers. To mark the retirement, therefore, of such a distinguished musician, the FCM is delighted that he has agreed to compose an anthem which it is hoped will be performed for the first time by the Minster Choir at Evensong on Saturday 3rd May 2008 at the Gathering of the Friends of Cathedral Music.Although this commission is being made by the FCM York Diocese, it is felt that there are many people both in this country and abroad who may well like to join in honouring Philip Moore. Donations, clearly marked Philip Moore Commission may be sent to:
The FCM Treasurer,
18 Saxon Way,
ROMSEY
SO51 5PT,
UK
Cheques payable to The Friends of Cathedral Music.
Alternatively they may be given to the FCM Diocesan Representative, Michael Wiles, in the Minster. Further details may be obtained from him on: