Cathedral choirs

A long line of musicians

The present members of Brecon Cathedral Choir are today's custodians in the long line of musicians who have cared for and enhanced the worship in this holy place for over 900 years. A Norman Benedictine Priory was founded on the site in 1093, and would have resounded to the chant of generations of monks singing ‘the office’. In 1537, at the time of the Dissolution of the monasteries, the Priory became the Parish Church and remained so until its elevation to Cathedral status in 1923. Throughout this time, music would have played an important part in the liturgy and worship.

Our Choristers, children aged between 8 and 13 who sing the Soprano or Treble line in the choir. They attend local schools and come to the cathedral to rehearse after school on two afternoons every week during term time and sing a service of Choral Evensong on Fridays in addition to two choral services on Sundays.

The Brecon Cathedral Choir Trust was set up in 2003, with the aim of 'empowering young people through the gift of music', enabling the choristers to receive free music tuition. Places are available for year 4 children each September, with auditions held in early June. Please contact Matthew McVey, Assistant Director of Music

In addition to singing for cathedral services and concerts, the choir undertakes recordings, broadcasts and tours. Tours over the last ten years have included visits to sing at Ripon Cathedral, York Minster, Blaubeuren in Germany, Glasgow, Edinburgh, the French Loire Valley and the Italian region of Tuscany.

The adults and scholars who sing alto, tenor and bass in the choir are called Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars. They rehearse on Friday evenings after Choral Evensong and join with the choristers to sing the pattern of services. They do so as volunteers, and some travel considerable distances (from as far away as Neath, Abergavenny, Newport and Bristol) to sing with the choir regularly.

 

Directors of Music:

  • 2025-Present David Stevens

  • 2017-2024 Stephen Power

  • 2007-2017 Mark Duthie

  • 1966-2007 David Gedge

  • 1963-1966 Michael Bryan Hesford (later organist of St Mary’s Church, Melton Mowbray)

  • 1923-1963 John Humphrey Carden (formerly organist of St Nicholas’ Church, Kings Norton)

 

Assistant Organists / Assistant Directors of music

  • 2025-Present Matthew McVey (Assitant DOM)

  • 2018-2025 Jon Pilgrim (Assistant DOM)

  • 2017-2018 Thomas Coxhead

  • 2014-2017 Stephen Power

  • 2015-2017 Paul Hayward

  • 2007-2015 Meirion Wynn Jones

  • 2006-2007 Tim Morgan

  • 1966-2006 Hazel Gedge