Richard Apperley
From Wellington Cathedral of St Paul
Assistant Organist, Wellington Cathedral of St Paul
Richard Apperley has recently rejoined the team at Wellington Cathedral of Saint Paul as Assistant Organist, and is at the forefront of his generation of organists in New Zealand. Recently arrived back in the country, Richard formerly held the post of Assistant Organist at Lincoln Cathedral, where he benefited from the opportunity of accompanying and directing one of the UK’s top cathedral choirs. Prior to his post at Lincoln Cathedral, Richard was Assistant Organist at St Michael’s Church, Highgate, London. Here he accompanied the choir and formed the boy probationers choir.
Richard has a growing reputation as a choral director, having formed the Lincoln Cathedral Chamber Choir. This high quality amateur group now shares singing of the cathedral services with music ranging from Byrd to the cathedral’s first complete Jazz Eucharist.
As an organist Richard has a particular interest in the music of Buxtehude, Howells and contemporary works. He enjoys combining the organ with unexpected musical matches including gamelan, electroacoustic installations and folk traditions. He also has a passion for Anglican psalmody, and has led the publication of new psalters at both the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul and Lincoln Cathedral.
A keen promoter of New Zealand organ music, Richard has compiled and edited two volumes of New Zealand organ works, published by Fagus Music (UK). He has also given many recitals of the repertoire, and has recorded a concert for broadcast by Concert FM.
