Roger Williams (organist)

Biography

Born in Swansea, Williams began his musical education at the Huddersfield School of Music (now part of the University) where he studied Piano, Organ, Harpsichord, Harp, Viola, Conducting and Composition. He graduated with BMus Honours from the University of Wales (University College Cardiff) before proceeding to Goldsmiths' College, University of London, for a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. At King's College Cambridge he gained PhD for his research into the early works of Arnold Schoenberg.

Williams spent eight years in London as a free-lance conductor, organist, harpsichordist, singer and composer. He held various church posts while also running a small opera company, singing as an ad hoc singer with the BBC Singers and performing at major London concert venues (Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, Wigmore Hall).

He was, briefly, Head of the Chiswick Evening Music Centre and Lecturer at the West London Institute. In 1978 he took up the post of Lecturer in the Music Department at Aberdeen University and was later appointed Senior Lecturer and Head of Department. Following the closure of the Music Department in Aberdeen (now re-established) he was appointed Music Director and Organist to the University.

Williams continues to teach and work in Aberdeen where he has enjoyed a long association with the Haddo House Choral & Operatic Society and the North East of Scotland Music School. He was made MBE in the UK Honours list of 2009. Recognising his many years of service and astounding number of recitals at their institution, Williams was made an honorary Doctor of Music from the University of Aberdeen in July 2011.

Professional life

For the first 15 years of his appointment in Scotland Williams also held the post of Organist at the Church of Our Lady of Victories, Kensington High Street where he advised on the rebuilding of an 1870s Willis organ. Previously he had been an Assistant Organist at Holy Trinity Church Brompton, then Organist at St. Patrick’s Soho Square, and Music Director and Organist at the Sacred Heart Church, Wimbledon.

During the 1980s he was Chorus Master to the Scottish National Orchestra (now RSNO), working with conductors such as Alexander Gibson, Neeme Järvi, Yuri Ahronovich, Gary Bertini, Norman Del Mar, Christopher Seaman, Simon Rattle, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Bryden Thomson, Richard Hickox, and Yan Pascal Tortelier. The chorus gave the first broadcast of Britten's War Requiem on Italian radio on a tour to Turin and, on a tour to Jerusalem, the world premier of its first commission, Pipes of Peace by Eddie McGuire.

In 1990 he was appointed Organist to the University and had the Harrison and Harrison organ in the Chapel at King's College revoiced and tuned to an unequal temperament. As Master of Ceremonial Music he helped to acquire the new Aubertin - the first in the UK. He has since commissioned several leading composers to write pieces specially conceived for this instrument.

On 31 August 2010, he retired as Master of Chapel and Ceremonial Music to the University of Aberdeen. He celebrated this with a concert of organ works at the University Chapel, including the famous Bach Toccata in d minor.

On 16 September 2010, Williams performed during the Papal Mass at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow, as part of Pope Benedict XI's tour of the United Kingdom.

Currently, Williams remains a visiting pianoforte and organ tutor to students at the University of Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland Music School. He continues to perform across Aberdeenshire, to direct ensembles including the Aberdeen Diocesan Choir and undertaking further academic research on the music collections of Scottish castles and country houses.