George Castle, organ

Chichester Cathedral's popular lunchtime concerts take place on Tuesdays at 1.10pm during term time, in the spectacular setting of the Cathedral Nave. They are free and last approximately 50 minutes. There is a retiring collection.

Programme

  • Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 by J.S. Bach (attr.)  (1685–1750) 
  • In Springtime by Alfred Hollins (1865–1942)                                                          
  • III. Intermezzo and IV. Cantabile from Symphony 6 Op. 42, No. 2 by Charles-Marie Widor (1810–56)                           
  • March from Suite No. 1 in E flat for Military Band  by Gustav Holst (1874–1934)         
  • Andante in F,  K.616, by W.A. Mozart (1756–91)
  • Pomp & Circumstance March No. 4 in G  by  Edward Elgar (1857–1934)                       

George Castle’s musical education took him through singing as a chorister at Durham Cathedral, where he also started to learn the organ, school in Bedford and a year as Organ Scholar at Worcester Cathedral. Following this, he studied for a degree in music at Oxford University, where he also held organ scholarships at Trinity and Worcester Colleges.  He was also accompanist for the Oxford University Press Choir. Having graduated in 2008, George returned to Worcester Cathedral for four years, where he accompanied and helped train the various choirs and, from 2011, directed the Voluntary Choir. He was then Assistant Director of Music at Winchester Cathedral from 2012-2021.

George is currently a Visiting Music Teacher at Winchester College and The Pilgrims’ School, Winchester and works as a freelance conductor and keyboard player in London and around the south of England. He is also accompanist for The Waynflete Singers and Director of RSCM Voices West. He has featured as an organist on various recordings and broadcasts, including a fleeting appearance playing for Lord Mountbatten’s funeral and Prince Charles’s wedding on Netflix’s The Crown, and had brief spell in the Italian pop charts. George has interests in Jazz and Folk music, dabbling in playing the Northumbrian Pipes, and enjoys walking, cycling and swimming in the sea during the warmer months. 

​​​​​​​Chichester Cathedral's Lunchtime Concert series is self-supporting, and thrives through the generosity of its audiences. While there is no charge for admission, we suggest a minimum donation of £3 per person, with Gift Aid applied if possible.