Organ Scholar

Richard Bristow began his role of organ scholar at Romsey Abbey in December 2007. Prior to starting at the Abbey, Richard was the organ scholar at Arundel Cathedral in West Sussex, where he regularly accompanied and directed the choir for a variety of different liturgies.

As well as a successful tour to Canterbury Cathedral in August 2004, Richard accompanied the choir for their latest recording on the Herald label, A Chorister's Year. Whilst at Arundel, Richard received organ lessons from Mark Wardell at Chichester Cathedral, as well as learning about organ improvisation with David Briggs.

He also accompanied the Arcadian Singers of Oxford University for a series of exciting concerts. As a former organ scholar of Jesus College, Oxford, Richard graduated from the University with an honours degree in Music in July 2007.

Richard is currently studying at the University of Southampton to obtain his PGCE teaching qualification in Music, prior to taking up his position as Assistant Director of Music at Wycliffe College in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire.

In addition to playing the organ and teaching, Richard is an active composer of organ and choral music. His unaccompanied Agnus Dei from the Missa Sine Nomine was recently performed and praised by the BBC Singers in a master class at the BBC Maida Vale Studios in London.

Having won the Oriel College Anthem Competition in 2006 with his work The Beatitudes, Richard is currently working on a setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis for Keble College, Oxford.