David Pipe appointed at Diocese of Leeds Organ School

David Pipe has been appointed as Director of the Diocese of Leeds Organ School and Organist of Leeds Cathedral from May 2016.

The new Organ School is a partnership between the Diocese of Leeds Music Department and The Royal College of Organists.

Benefiting from generous funding from the Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation, the initiative seeks to build on the success of the Diocese of Leeds Schools Singing Programme, reaching children and adults throughout Yorkshire with a programme of regular structured teaching and workshops.

Parishes in the Diocese have invested heavily in recent years in many new or restored organs and Leeds Cathedral has a world class instrument that was augmented in 2010 by Klais of Bonn.

The Diocese of Leeds already has the largest church music programme in the United Kingdom maintaining 58 choirs comprising over 2500 children meeting weekly. There are 43 school choirs, four boys' choirs, four girls' choirs, three mixed children’s choirs, two youth choirs, a groundbreaking new choir school, a university choir and a semi-professional adult choir.

It is hoped that together the Diocesan Music Department and The Royal College of Organists can mirror the success of the Singing Programme by creating the largest and highest quality schools organ teaching programme in the country.

David Pipe has held the post of Assistant Director of Music at York Minster since 2008 and prior to this held posts at Guildford and Southwark Cathedrals. He became Principal Conductor of York Musical Society in March 2012.

Born in London in 1983, David read Music at Cambridge University, later studying organ at the Royal Academy of Music, having gained a postgraduate entrance scholarship. While Organ Scholar of Downing College, Cambridge, David gained the diploma of Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists.

Commenting on the appointment, RCO Chief Executive Philip Meaden said: “The Diocese of Leeds Organ School is an exciting initiative, designed to build on the success of the world-renowned Schools Singing Programme.

“The Royal College of Organists is delighted to be associated with the project, and my colleagues and I look forward to working with David Pipe, who has exactly the right qualities and experience for the role.”

Benjamin Saunders, Director of Music, Diocese of Leeds, said: “We are delighted to appoint David Pipe to join the team of musicians in the Diocesan Music Department. His broad experience at the Minster and in school teaching provides a sure foundation on which to develop this exciting new venture and to inspire the next generation of church musicians.”

Robert Sharpe, Director of Music, York Minster, said: “David has been a superb colleague at the Minster and we are immensely grateful for all he has given to our music-making and our worshipping community over the past seven years. We are delighted he has been appointed to this important role in Leeds and know his skills and energy will be put to good use.”