24 Apr 2025, 09:12Darell J. Philip, London Area 6C Communications CoordinatorLondon, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
ELSOM Students invited to Westminster Abbey Organ Recital
The East London School of Music’s (ELSOM) tenth anniversary celebration during April was rounded up with an invitation to the Westminster Abbey Organ Recital on Easter Day, Sunday 20th April 2025. ELSOM students were left both humbled and delighted to have been given exclusive access to the playing booth, where they witnessed first-hand the recitals being played by Paul Greally who is the Assistant Organist at Westminster Abbey. In his role, Greally works alongside the Sub-Organist and Organ Scholar in playing services in the Abbey, assisting with conducting the Abbey Choir as well as with training the choristers. Greally, who also currently studies at the Royal Academy of Music for the MA in Organ Performance told ELSOM students that with encouragement from his parents he had been playing the organ since age 11 and now 12 years later at age 23, he is the Assistant Organist at Westminster Abbey. As well as becoming a prize-winning Fellow of the Royal College of Organists as a teenager, Greally read Music at Kings College, Cambridge, where he was the organ scholar for four years and during this time he performed regularly on TV and live radio, including for Carols from King’s and A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, which were broadcast worldwide, and at venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Concertgebouw (Amsterdam) and Sydney Opera House.
Impressed and inspired by Greally’s commitment, dedication and level of achievement in music at such a young age, ELSOM students were privileged to hear him play three recitals, two of which included: Herbert Howells (1892-1983) Saraband (For the morning of Easter) and J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Prelude and Fugue in C major BWV 547.
At the end of the recitals, which were given great applause by everyone including members of the public seated in the main auditorium below, ELSOM students were given the honour to play on the Westminster Abbey Organ themselves, something which is often only the reserve of a selected professional few.
It is anticipated that further similar opportunities and events are due to take place as ELSOM, a South England Conference Centre of Influence in London Area 6C (East London), continue to celebrate and give thanks to God for their special tenth anniversary year.
The East London School of Music’s (ELSOM) tenth anniversary celebration during April was rounded up with an invitation to the Westminster Abbey Organ Recital on Easter Day, Sunday 20th April 2025. ELSOM students were left both humbled and delighted to have been given exclusive access to the playing booth, where they witnessed first-hand the recitals being played by Paul Greally who is the Assistant Organist at Westminster Abbey. In his role, Greally works alongside the Sub-Organist and Organ Scholar in playing services in the Abbey, assisting with conducting the Abbey Choir as well as with training the choristers. Greally, who also currently studies at the Royal Academy of Music for the MA in Organ Performance told ELSOM students that with encouragement from his parents he had been playing the organ since age 11 and now 12 years later at age 23, he is the Assistant Organist at Westminster Abbey. As well as becoming a prize-winning Fellow of the Royal College of Organists as a teenager, Greally read Music at Kings College, Cambridge, where he was the organ scholar for four years and during this time he performed regularly on TV and live radio, including for Carols from King’s and A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, which were broadcast worldwide, and at venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Concertgebouw (Amsterdam) and Sydney Opera House.
Impressed and inspired by Greally’s commitment, dedication and level of achievement in music at such a young age, ELSOM students were privileged to hear him play three recitals, two of which included: Herbert Howells (1892-1983) Saraband (For the morning of Easter) and J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Prelude and Fugue in C major BWV 547.
At the end of the recitals, which were given great applause by everyone including members of the public seated in the main auditorium below, ELSOM students were given the honour to play on the Westminster Abbey Organ themselves, something which is often only the reserve of a selected professional few.
It is anticipated that further similar opportunities and events are due to take place as ELSOM, a South England Conference Centre of Influence in London Area 6C (East London), continue to celebrate and give thanks to God for their special tenth anniversary year.
