SATURDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2027
CLOSING DATE: 31 JANUARY 2027
St Augustine’s Chapel, St Monica Trust, Cote Lane, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 3UN
ORGAN SECTION INFORMATION
SIMON WILLIAMS
BA (Dunelm), FRCO, LRAM
Director, Royal College of Organists ~ East, South, and South West
Following a 32-year association with London's St George’s Church, Hanover Square, first as Assistant Organist and then for 22 years as Director of Music, Simon Williams moved to Cheltenham in 2022 where he continues his work as Director for the Royal College of Organists’ East, South, and South West region, combining this with the role of Organist and Visiting Teacher of Organ at Cheltenham Ladies’ College.
Simon Williams studied at Durham University, where he was organ scholar of St Chad’s College and conductor of the University Chamber Choir, and at the Royal College of Music. He is a Fellow and Accredited Teacher of the Royal College of Organists. He was for 30 years Music Director of Harrow Choral Society with whom he performed many of the major works of the choral repertoire and commissioned several new pieces, including ‘Crucifixion’ and ‘Look Stranger at this Island Now’ by Bryan Kelly.
As an organist, Simon Williams has performed in many major venues in the UK as well as in other European countries and in Moscow. He was President of the Enfield and District Organists’ Association from 2007 to 2010 and will take up the chair of the Gloucestershire Organists’ Association in early 2027. Several new works have been dedicated to him or commissioned by him, including the Sonatina by Bryan Kelly and a chorale prelude for the Orgelbüchlein Project by the Hungarian composer Zsigmond Szathmáry which he premiered at St George’s Hanover Square in 2017 in the presence of the composer.
BA (Dunelm), FRCO, LRAM
Director, Royal College of Organists ~ East, South, and South West
Following a 32-year association with London's St George’s Church, Hanover Square, first as Assistant Organist and then for 22 years as Director of Music, Simon Williams moved to Cheltenham in 2022 where he continues his work as Director for the Royal College of Organists’ East, South, and South West region, combining this with the role of Organist and Visiting Teacher of Organ at Cheltenham Ladies’ College.
Simon Williams studied at Durham University, where he was organ scholar of St Chad’s College and conductor of the University Chamber Choir, and at the Royal College of Music. He is a Fellow and Accredited Teacher of the Royal College of Organists. He was for 30 years Music Director of Harrow Choral Society with whom he performed many of the major works of the choral repertoire and commissioned several new pieces, including ‘Crucifixion’ and ‘Look Stranger at this Island Now’ by Bryan Kelly.
As an organist, Simon Williams has performed in many major venues in the UK as well as in other European countries and in Moscow. He was President of the Enfield and District Organists’ Association from 2007 to 2010 and will take up the chair of the Gloucestershire Organists’ Association in early 2027. Several new works have been dedicated to him or commissioned by him, including the Sonatina by Bryan Kelly and a chorale prelude for the Orgelbüchlein Project by the Hungarian composer Zsigmond Szathmáry which he premiered at St George’s Hanover Square in 2017 in the presence of the composer.
- Teachers, parents and performers are advised to read the Festival Rules and the following Organ Rules carefully.
- Age for classes to be reckoned as of 1 March of the Festival Year.
- A copy of music should be available for the Adjudicator before performing. This must be neatly presented and of good quality. This is not necessary for the Masterclass. See Festival Rule 14.
- Time limits must be strictly adhered to. See Festival Rule 7.
The Organ at St Augustine’s Chapel