This September, Chichester Cathedral welcomed Ben Tanner as Organ Scholar for the coming year.
Ben, who has just completed his A Levels at Rugby School, will spend a year immersed in the Cathedral’s musical life before taking up his place at New College, Oxford in September 2026, where he has been awarded the Organ Scholarship.
For Ben, this year is a chance to focus entirely on music after balancing practice and performance with academic study.
The organ is such a versatile instrument – no two are the same. It can be as soft as a whisper or as grand as a fanfare. It’s part of the building, part of the very fabric of worship. To learn, play, and grow here at Chichester for a year is a huge privilege.
Ben
“This year is incredibly important to me – a chance to focus just on music,” he explains. “At Rugby I had to juggle rehearsals and practice with A Levels. Now I can give myself fully to the daily rhythm of music-making here at the Cathedral.”
A musical childhood
Music has been at the heart of Ben’s life from the very beginning. Both of his parents are musicians, and his father was director of music for a choir. From the age of five, he was learning both piano and violin.
I was surrounded by music from an early age.
Ben
At seven, he joined St Paul’s Cathedral as a chorister, where he sang for five years.
“It felt like a natural progression – both my parents were musicians, and I was surrounded by music from an early age. Singing at St Paul’s was the start of it all,” he says.
In his third year at St Paul’s he tried the organ for the first time – and was instantly captivated.
“Playing the organ feels like you’re playing the building itself,” Ben recalls. “I was fascinated by the skill needed for accompaniment, but also by the freedom of improvisation. It was inspiring, and I was hooked.”
At St Paul’s, he began lessons with James Orford (then Organ Scholar) and Will Fox (Assistant Organist), before continuing his studies at Rugby.
Broadening horizons at Rugby
I worked with some wonderful teachers.
Ben
Rugby gave Ben space to explore his musical interests even further. As well as continuing with organ, he sang in the school choir, played viola and violin in the string quartet, and performed solo violin and piano pieces. He was also a member of WoodHouse 9, a student-led A Cappella group.
“I was lucky to have a very supportive environment at Rugby. I worked with some wonderful teachers – Ian Wicks and Richard Tanner on organ accompaniment, and also Al Gurr, a jazz pianist who gave me confidence in improvisation. He helped me think differently about performance – about the relationship between the performer and the audience.”
Auditioning at Chichester
Ben remembers his audition at Chichester as both challenging and enjoyable.
“I had to do some sightreading, but my prepared pieces, Bach’s Fugue in A Minor and Dupré’s Final from Sept Pièces, gave me the chance to demonstrate a real range – from the most delicate passages right through to pulling out all the stops. Afterwards I stayed on for evensong, and later played again in the empty cathedral. I really enjoyed the whole process, which I took to be a good sign.”
That evening, over dinner with his family, Ben received the call from Charles Harrison, the Cathedral’s Organist and Master of the Choristers, offering him the position.
“I was surprised and delighted. Walking out afterwards and seeing the Cathedral, I thought: this is where I’m going to spend the next year. It felt wonderful.”
A year of music at Chichester
During his year in Chichester, Ben will have daily opportunities to play for services, concerts and rehearsals. He is particularly looking forward to Christmas, with its packed programme of carol services and festive music.
“I can’t believe that for the big carol services, I’ll be the one playing as people take their seats and wait for the services to begin. Getting them in the mood for what’s to come. To be part of that atmosphere is thrilling.”
Another important part of the role will be working closely with the Cathedral Choir and helping pupils at the Prebendal School.
“It feels funny to be called ‘Mr Tanner’ – only a few years ago I was their age! But I’m enjoying helping them build their confidence while building mine too. I do think back to when I was a chorister – and I wasn’t always the best behaved – and wonder how I’d have managed someone like me!”
For Ben, this teaching experience will be as valuable as the playing.
“I’d love to combine organ playing with directing choirs in the future, so having the chance to work alongside Charles and Tim [Ravalde, Assistant Organist] is fantastic. Watching them at the organ, conducting, and rehearsing the choir is already teaching me a lot.”
Inspiration and ambition
Ben names several musicians as formative influences: Simon Johnson and Andrew Carwood from his time at St Paul’s, Ian Wicks and Richard Tanner at Rugby, and jazz pianist Al Gurr.
I’d love to combine organ playing with directing choirs in the future.
Ben
Beyond Chichester and Oxford, he has big ambitions.
“The organ is such a versatile instrument – no two are the same. It can be as soft as a whisper or as grand as a fanfare. It’s part of the building, part of the very fabric of worship. To learn, play, and grow here at Chichester for a year is a huge privilege.”
And his dream venue?
“The Albert Hall. I’ve been to the Proms many times, and playing there one day would be amazing.”
With thanks
Ben’s appointment as Organ Scholar is supported by the Headley Trust, whose generous commitment ensures that Chichester Cathedral can continue to offer an Organ Scholarship for the next three years.
“I’m very thankful to the Headley Trust for making this possible,” Ben says. “It’s a huge privilege to be part of this Cathedral’s music, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
Chichester Cathedral Restoration & Development Trust CIO
Registered Charity No. 1156729
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Picture credit: Russell Sach