Stephen King has been organist of Brentwood Cathedral for over 30 years. He studied at Trinity College of Music, and subsequently with John Birch.

Distinguished composers with whom he has worked include John Rutter, Bob Chilcott, and Colin Mawby. He has performed the organ concertos of both John Gardner and Andrew Carter (giving the second UK performance of the latter work), and to mark his first 25 years at Brentwood Cathedral, he commissioned “Carillon” from Philip Moore.

He has also worked closely with Diana Burrell, whose Missa Brevis was composed in 2016/17 for Brentwood Cathedral Choir. 

He has appeared as organist with the Southend Boys Choir and Southend Girls Choir on numerous overseas tours, at Australian, American, Canadian and various European venues including St Peter’s Basilica, Rome, and, recently, Amsterdam. He also works regularly with other Essex choirs, including being accompanist to Hutton and Shenfield Choral Society. Of late he has had a particularly busy recital schedule in the South and South East of England, along with performing Poulenc’s Organ Concerto, and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto no 5. 

He is a trustee of the Royal College of Organists.  

Stephen King very kindly agreed to give today’s piano recital at short notice when the date became available, and we are hugely grateful to him!

Stephen has given tirelessly to the work, reputation and achievements of the Cathedral Music Department for over 30 years. His kind generosity today in offering his great talents has coincidentally come at a time when we are looking for increased sponsorship for the Department in order that our work can continue to be sustained and grow.

Inevitably, as the Department has developed, it has become much more expensive to run in terms of resources, materials, instruments and music. And we support a great number of musicians, singers and artists, through the church liturgies and concerts here and elsewhere.

We take special pride in the education and nurturing of young talented musicians, to help with their studies and perseverance in the field of music, leading ultimately to careers in performance and teaching.

Although we are blessed with the support of the Cathedral, the Choral Trust  and the Diocese, we are so grateful for the kind individual giving and sponsorship either in terms of donations or through astonishing gifts such as our Grand Piano which has inspired us all.

Thank you again for all your help.

13th November ..  James Todd – RCM Organ