Michael Nicholas
Encyclopedia
Michael Bernard Nicholas FRCO (born 1938) is a British organist
, conductor and composer, who was organist and master of choristers at Norwich Cathedral
from 1971 to 1994 before becoming Chief Executive of the Royal College of Organists.
and Jesus College, Oxford
, where he was Organ Scholar
and studied for a degree in music. He was awarded his Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists
(FRCO) in 1958. After graduating, he became organist and choirmaster of St. James Church, Louth
1960 - 1964 and St Matthew's Church, Northampton 1964 - 1971 before becoming organist and master of choristers at Norwich Cathedral
. He held this position (together with a part-time lectureship in music at the University of East Anglia
) from 1971 to 1994, when he was appointed Chief Executive of the Royal College of Organists. Since 1999, Nicholas has been director of music at St Mary-le-Tower, Ipswich
. where he conducts three choirs and promotes the popular lunchtime concert series. In addition to church choirs, he has conducted the Northampton Bach Choir and Orchestra, the Norwich Philharmonic Chorus and the Allegri Singers. He has published various works for choir and for organ, and has written Sightsinging (1966) and Muse at St Matthew's (1968).
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, conductor and composer, who was organist and master of choristers at Norwich Cathedral
Norwich Cathedral
Norwich Cathedral is a cathedral located in Norwich, Norfolk, dedicated to the Holy and Undivided Trinity. Formerly a Catholic church, it has belonged to the Church of England since the English Reformation....
from 1971 to 1994 before becoming Chief Executive of the Royal College of Organists.
Life
Nicholas was born in 1938 and educated at the City of London SchoolCity of London School
The City of London School is a boys' independent day school on the banks of the River Thames in the City of London, England. It is the brother school of the City of London School for Girls and the co-educational City of London Freemen's School...
and Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College is one of the colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is in the centre of the city, on a site between Turl Street, Ship Street, Cornmarket Street and Market Street...
, where he was Organ Scholar
Organ scholar
An organ scholar is a young musician employed as a part-time assistant organist at an institution where regular choral services are held. The idea of an organ scholarship is to provide the holder with playing, directing and administrative experience....
and studied for a degree in music. He was awarded his Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists
Royal College of Organists
The Royal College of Organists or RCO, is a charity and membership organisation based in the United Kingdom, but with members around the world...
(FRCO) in 1958. After graduating, he became organist and choirmaster of St. James Church, Louth
St. James Church, Louth
St. James' Church, Louth is a parish church in the Church of England in Louth, Lincolnshire, England. It is notable for its tall spire.-History:...
1960 - 1964 and St Matthew's Church, Northampton 1964 - 1971 before becoming organist and master of choristers at Norwich Cathedral
Norwich Cathedral
Norwich Cathedral is a cathedral located in Norwich, Norfolk, dedicated to the Holy and Undivided Trinity. Formerly a Catholic church, it has belonged to the Church of England since the English Reformation....
. He held this position (together with a part-time lectureship in music at the University of East Anglia
University of East Anglia
The University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...
) from 1971 to 1994, when he was appointed Chief Executive of the Royal College of Organists. Since 1999, Nicholas has been director of music at St Mary-le-Tower, Ipswich
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
. where he conducts three choirs and promotes the popular lunchtime concert series. In addition to church choirs, he has conducted the Northampton Bach Choir and Orchestra, the Norwich Philharmonic Chorus and the Allegri Singers. He has published various works for choir and for organ, and has written Sightsinging (1966) and Muse at St Matthew's (1968).