Major Churches Music Conference
Saturday 13th June 2026
Great St Mary's, the University Church, Cambridge is hosting a conference on Saturday 13th June for church musicians and clergy with responsibility for music at Major Churches and churches with a flourishing traditional choral music programme.
The day focuses on three key areas: recruitment of choristers and adult singers; fundraising and grant applications; and vocal health. The cost of attending the conference is £60, including lunch and refreshments.
Please use the link to sign up by 14 May, or for more information email music@gsm.cam.ac.uk.
N.B. The deadline to sign up for this conference has now passed, but we may be able to make a place available for you. For more information, please email Alex Berry via music@gsm.cam.ac.uk.
Outline of the conference day
At 0930, delegates arriving early in Cambridge can receive a tour and demonstration of the 1698 Father Smith University Organ in Great St Mary's from Stanley Godfrey.
Coffee and pastries will be served in Michaelhouse from 1000, and the formal conference business will begin with a keynote speech from Carl Jackson MVO: "Why music in major churches matters".
The second morning session will include presentations from Simon Toyne, David Fawcett and Tom Daggett on the Recruitment of Choristers and Adults to Church Choirs. This will be followed by a panel discussion including those presenting and Hugh Morris, Alexander Berry and Jem Lowther.
Before lunch, Helen Groves (voice coach, Great St Mary's) will lead an interactive workshop focusing on Vocal Health for Choristers, Teenagers and Adult Singers.
A buffet lunch and a glass of wine will be provided by Michaelhouse Café, during which there will be the opportunity for delegates to get to know each other.
The afternoon begins with presentations from Hugh Morris, Ruth Massey and Graham Robinson on Fundraising and Grant Applications. This will be followed by a Q&A session.
After this, there will be an opportunity for delegates break out into discussion groups to talk about the potential for future conferences and whether founding a representative group for musicians working in major churches would be desirable and necessary.
The conference day concludes with Choral Evensong sung by members of Great St Mary's Choir and delegates, conducted by Alexander Berry. The music includes Stanford's Evening Service in B-flat and Samuel Sebastian Wesley's Blessed be the God and Father.
After formal conference business has concluded, informal drinks or a meal will be organised for those delegates who wish to attend.
Keynote Speaker
Carl Jackson MVO
A renowned choir trainer and organist, Carl was formerly Director of Music at Croydon Minster and the Chapel Royal, Hampton Court.
Fundraising
Ruth Massey
Ruth is Head of Fundraising at Southwell Minster.
Choir Recruitment
Simon Toyne
Simon is Executive Director of Music of the David Ross Education Trust, Director of the Rodolfus Foundation Choral Courses and serves on the monitoring board for the National Plan for Music Education.
Choir Recruitment
David Fawcett
David is a composer and Assistant Director of Music at St Mary's Swanage. He has been instrumental in creating the RSCM's Young Voices Toolkit.
Singing Workshop
Helen Groves
Helen has pursued a full career as a soloist, teacher and ensemble singer. As part of her singing teaching practice in Cambridge, she coaches the choristers of St Catharine's College and Great St Mary's.
Fundraising and Choir Recruitment
Hugh Morris
Hugh is Director of the RSCM. He was previously Director of Music at Derby Cathedral and Christchurch Priory.
Choir Recruitment
Tom Daggett
Tom is Director of Music at Sheffield Cathedral. He is the founder of Choir Church, a programme using music as an evanglistic tool, through singing, faith and social justice.
Fundraising
Graham Robinson
Graham is a Trustee and Chair of the Grants Assessment Panel for the Cathedral Music Trust. A Chartered Accountant by day, Graham also serves as a deputy lay clerk at Coventry Cathedral.
Choir Recruitment
Jem Lowther
Jem is Director of Music at All Saints' Northampton and a Musician in Residence with the David Ross Education Trust
Director of Music, Great St Mary's
Conference Organiser
Alexander Berry
Alex is has run the music at the University Church since 2023. Prior to this, he was Director of Music at Bradford Cathedral.
Conference Organiser
Oliver Hancock
Oliver has been Director of Music at the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick, since 2018. Prior to this he held positions at Ely and Portsmouth Cathedrals.
Organist and ADoM, Great St Mary's
Stanley Godfrey
Stanley has been Assistant Director of Music at the University Church since 2025.