Robert Quinney

Robert Quinney (born 1976{{Cite web |title=Robert Quinney appointed organist at New College, Oxford |url=https://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/article/robert-quinney-appointed-organist-at-new-college-oxford |access-date=2021-03-16 |website=Gramophone |language=en}} in Nottingham, England) is Director of the Choir of New College, Oxford, and was formerly Sub-Organist at Westminster Abbey and Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral.{{Cite web|url=https://www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music/music/the-abbey-choir-and-musicians|title=The Abbey Choir and musicians|website=Westminster=abbey.org|accessdate=10 August 2020}} In addition to his work at New College, he has a freelance career as soloist, ensemble player, and writer on music. From October 2009 till 2014 he was Director of Oundle for Organists, whose residential courses provide tuition for young organists.{{Cite web |title=Changeover at the top for Oundle for Organists - Oundle for Organists |url=http://www.oundlefororganists.org.uk/ofo-news/59-changeover-at-the-top-for-oundle-for-organists |access-date=2021-03-16 |website=www.oundlefororganists.org.uk}}

In 2002, Quinney was named Royal College of Organists Performer of the Year.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

Education and early career

Robert Quinney was born in Nottingham{{cite web|url=https://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/whats-on/music/westminster-organist-robert-returns-to-his-roots-for-recital-1-457254|title=Westminster organist Robert returns to his roots for recital|work=Sheffield Telegraph|date=28 October 2009|accessdate=20 December 2018}} and was a chorister at Dundee Cathedral and then at All Saints Church, Ecclesall, where he learned to play the organ.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-13225924|title=Sheffield organist preparing to play for royal wedding|date=28 April 2011|accessdate=20 December 2018|work=BBC News}}{{cite web|url=https://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/features/14318743.profile-old-buildings-inspired-me-says-robert-quinney/|title=Profile: 'Old buildings inspired me' says Robert Quinney|date=3 March 2016|accessdate=20 December 2018|work=The Oxford Times}}

He attended Silverdale School{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/whats-on/gigs-and-music/royal-wedding-sheffield-organist-for-the-big-day-1-3333887|title=Royal Wedding: Sheffield organist for the big day|date=29 April 2011|work=The Star|accessdate=20 December 2018}} and then received a sixth-form full academic scholarship to Eton College, which Eton offers to pupils from state schools. On leaving Eton he spent a year as organ scholar of Winchester Cathedral and Assistant Organist of Winchester College. He was then organ scholar at King's College, Cambridge from 1995 to 1998.

On graduating from Cambridge (with BA and M.Phil. degrees) Quinney became Acting Sub-Organist of Westminster Abbey.

Career at Westminster

After a year as Acting Sub Organist at Westminster Abbey, Robert Quinney moved to Westminster Cathedral as Assistant Master of Music in September 2000. In addition to daily work with Westminster Cathedral Choir, he organised and gave many of the Cathedral's recitals. In 2001, he became the fourth organist to play the monumental Passion Symphony Christus by Francis Pott.

After moving back to Westminster Abbey in 2004 he performed with the Abbey Choir on concert tours to the United States and Australia, and on a series of recordings for Hyperion. He was the principal organist for many special and daily services held at the Abbey. He won the Royal College of Organists Performer of the Year competition in 2002. His double disc The Grand Organ of Westminster Cathedral has been widely acclaimed. Quinney is also active as a continuo player and writer on music. His Short Service for boys' voices was written for the choristers of Westminster Abbey and first performed in 2008. He played the organ for the Wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine Middleton in the Abbey on 29 April 2011, accompanying the choir and congregation.

Career at Peterborough

He became the Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral in April 2013,{{Cite web |url=http://www.westminster-abbey.org/press/news/news/2012/october/robert-quinney-appointed-director-of-music-at-peterborough-cathedral |title=Robert Quinney appointed Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral - Westminster Abbey |access-date=4 February 2013 |archive-date=19 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119131755/http://www.westminster-abbey.org/press/news/news/2012/october/robert-quinney-appointed-director-of-music-at-peterborough-cathedral |url-status=dead }} where he oversaw repitching of the cathedral's organ.{{cite web|url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/350-000-to-re-tune-peterborough-cathedral-s-organ-1-5717503|date=30 November 2013|accessdate=20 December 2018|title=£350,000 to re-tune Peterborough Cathedral's organ|work=Peterborough Telegraph}}

New College, Oxford

In February 2014, Quinney was announced as Associate Professor in the Faculty of Music at the University of Oxford, and Organist and Tutorial Fellow in Music at New College, succeeding the retiring Edward Higginbottom, a post taking effect from July 2014.{{Cite web|url=http://www.music.ox.ac.uk/robert-quinney-appointed-associate-professor-and-director-of-new-college-choir/|title=Robert Quinney Appointed Associate Professor and Director of New College Choir | Oxford University Faculty of Music|website=Music.ox.ac.uk|accessdate=10 August 2020}}

Discography

Partial discography:

Parry: Songs of Farewell and other choral works (Novum, September 2018)
The Gate of Heaven: Favourite Anthems from New College (Novum, 2017)
Like as the Hart: Music for the Templar's Garden (Novum, 2017)
Sing We! Advent and Christmas at New College (Novum, 2016)
John Blow: Symphony Anthems (Novum, 2016)
J S Bach: Trio Sonatas (Coro, 2011)
The Organ of Westminster Abbey: music by Elgar (Signum, 2011)
A New Heaven (Universal) – Organist for The Sixteen
A Christmas Caroll from Westminster Abbey (Hyperion) – Organist for the Abbey Choir
The Feast of the Ascension at Westminster Abbey (Hyperion){{Cite web|url=https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/a.asp?a=A11|title=Robert Quinney (organ) on Hyperion Records|website=Hyperion-records.co.uk|accessdate=10 August 2020}} – Organist for the Abbey Choir
The Organ of Westminster Cathedral – 2004 (Signum){{Cite web |url=http://www.signumrecords.com/catalogue/sigcd089/index.shtml |title=The Organ of Westminster Cathedral - Robert Quinney - Brahms - Wagner - Dupre |access-date=23 April 2009 |archive-date=4 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704103102/http://www.signumrecords.com/catalogue/sigcd089/index.shtml |url-status=dead }} (Gramophone Editor's Choice, BBC Music Magazine Instrumental Disc of the Month)
O Sapientia: Advent from King's College London – 2003 (Herald){{Cite web |title=O Sapientia: Advent from King's College London |url=https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7948697--o-sapientia |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=Presto Music |language=en}} – Organist for the Choir of King's College London