Stephanie Gaunt reflects on her year as Organ Scholar at Chichester Cathedral

Stephanie Gaunt, who will give a recital on Tuesday 1 July at 1.10pm, reflects on her year with us as the 2024/25 Organ Scholar. It has been a year filled with musical growth, memorable performances, and a deepening connection with the life of the Cathedral and its community.

Stephanie joined Chichester Cathedral last September, having started playing the organ in October 2021 while studying Music and Sound Recording at the University of Surrey. In just a few years, she has made remarkable progress, earning the ARCO diploma and securing her next position as Organ Scholar at Canterbury Cathedral from September.

Reflecting on her time in Chichester, Stephanie shared, “I’ve really enjoyed my year, and I have learned a huge amount. Compared to how I felt in September, I am now much more confident and calm when I am playing the organ in services.”

One of the standout moments of her year was arranging for her previous church, St John’s Church in West Byfleet, to visit Chichester as a guest choir during February half term. “It was really special,” she said. “I conducted the service, advised on the music, and worked with the children’s choir I had helped to set up - it felt like everything had come full circle.”

She also remembered the Fire and Rescue Service Christmas Carol Service - one of the Cathedral’s busiest annual events - as a particularly powerful musical moment: “The congregation was singing so loudly I could hear them clearly from the organ loft - hundreds of people making music together. It was incredibly moving. And I got to pull out all the stops and play really loudly!”

Working under Charles Harrison (Organist and Master of the Choristers) and Timothy Ravalde (Assistant Organist), she has embraced a wide range of musical styles and approaches. “They have different styles, which taught me that there’s no single ‘right’ way to be an organist or a conductor. It really opened my mind - every building, organ, choir, and director is different, and as an organist, you need to be adaptable.”

Stephanie has also been a valued part of the wider Cathedral community, including working with young musicians at The Prebendal School. “Working with children has really made me think about how we practise,” she explained. “In trying to help the children find joy and excitement in their music practice, I have developed techniques which can make my own organ practice more creative and engaging.”

As she prepares for her 50-minute lunchtime recital, Stephanie is excited to share a programme that spans four centuries and several countries, including music from Germany, France, and England. “Some of the pieces are ones I have aspired to play for a long time – like a Bach fugue I used to listen to every day on the way to university. At that point I was very new to playing the organ, and I never would have believed that one day I would play that fugue in a cathedral!”

Image

Her recital will also include music that reflects her journey, such as a suite of pieces she was introduced to by her first organ teacher. “It’s music that is meaningful to me, and reminds me of how far I’ve come” she said. “I want the audience to experience a full emotional range - from deep grief to joy. My recital ends on something loud and exciting, so people can leave feeling exhilarated.”

Looking ahead to Canterbury, Stephanie says Chichester has prepared her well. “I’ve already met with the Director of Music and the Assistant Organist there, and many of the anthems and canticle settings I’ve learnt here are also used at Canterbury, so I’ll be arriving with a strong foundation.” She’s particularly looking forward to the musical outreach work and engaging with both the boys’ and girls’ choirs.

Asked what she’ll miss most, Stephanie smiled: “The children, the community, and the calm evenings practising alone in the Cathedral. And I’ll also miss Matins, which very few other Cathedrals now include in their weekly services.”

Her advice to the next Organ Scholar? “Say yes to everything. Even if you think you know a piece, keep practising - you’ll find more depth in it. And don’t let stress get in the way of enjoying the music. Believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid to be part of the wider Cathedral life.”

As part of the Royal College of Organists’ Play the Organ 2025 initiative, Stephanie hopes her journey will inspire others to take up the instrument. “If this year encourages even one more person to give the organ a try, that would be a wonderful legacy.”

Stephanie’s scholarship has been funded through the Cathedral’s annual music budget, which also supports the choir, professional organists, and musical events such as the lunchtime concert series. To ensure this standard of music can be sustained, the Cathedral is working to build a £5 million Music Endowment, providing long-term support for roles like Stephanie’s and the wider musical programme.

In the meantime, we are enormously grateful to The Headley Trust for generously supporting the next three Organ Scholars. Next year’s Organ Scholar is Benedict (Ben) Tanner, who will join us from Rugby School. He has been offered the Organ Scholarship at New College Oxford to begin in September 2026, so we wish him well for his A levels.

Stephanie’s final recital takes place on Tuesday 1 July at 1.10pm in the Cathedral. Do join us.