Music at Christ Church Cathedral

The first records of music at Christ Church Cathedral date from 1835, when a barrel and finger organ was in use in the Cathedral. Since that time there has been a long tradition of fine music-making at the Cathedral and this tradition is upheld today, providing an exciting and meaningful enhancement to worship. The full and active music programme includes three choirs, an annual five-day Music Festival, a Concert Series and the Friends of Christ Church Cathedral Music.

Are you interested in singing at Christ Church Cathedral?
We are currently actively seeking new members for the Cathedral Choir, St. Nicholas Choir, Cathedral Scholars and the Festival Chorus.
If you think you would be interested in becoming a Christ Church Cathedral chorister,
click here to download a brochure (19KB PDF).

Our Choirs

The Cathedral Choir

The Cathedral Choir forms the basis of the choral programme. Their repertoire ranges from plainsong through to the present day and includes major mass settings by Palestrina, Schubert, Mozart, Haydn, Widor and Vierne. The Viennese masses are performed on a regular basis al the Cathedral, accompanied by the Cathedral Chamber Orchestra. The 35 voice choir has presented concerts as part of the Cathedral Music Festival including performances of Tippett's Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, Duruflé's Requiem and Faure's Requiem, also performing these works liturgically in the Cathedral. The choir has toured to Grafton, Port Macquarie, Goulburn and Sydney and has undertaken to present concerts and services in the diocese of Newcastle as part of their mission to support parishes outside of the Cathedral community. The choir is currently undertaking several recording projects.

The Cathedral Scholars

The Cathedral Choral Scholars membership is drawn from tertiary and high school students. Formed in 1997, their repertoire is drawn mainly from the 15th and 16th centuries, along with that of the 20th century. Their repertoire includes both John Taverner's and Christopher Tye's settings of the Western Wind Mass, and John Taverners Ikon of Light. In August 1998, the Choral Scholars joined in concert with Voces Sacrae, a professional a capella group from England. In 1999 performances included the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House and as the guest choir for the launch of Together in Song, the new Australian hymnbook

The St Nicholas Choir

The St Nicholas Choir is a 25 voice children's choir which sings once a month and at special services. The choir has participated in the Newcastle Cathedral Festivals since 1996 and has toured to Grafton, Port Macquarie and Goulburn with the Cathedral Choir. The choir has presented Britten's Missa Brevis in concert and liturgically and performed Britten's Ceremony of Carols in November 1999.

The Cathedral Organ

The Cathedral Organ is one of the finest organs in Australia. The original organ, of which the pipework forms the basis of the present instrument, was built in 1906 by Norman and Beard (UK). The organ was rebuilt in 1963 by J.W. Walker & Sons, and most recently (1997-1998) has undergone refurbishment and the addition of several ranks of pipes, including a 32' Double Ophicleide. The organ contains 2,471 pipes, 58 stops, 13 couplers and two tremulants, and is maintained by Peter D.G. Jewkes Pty. Ltd. For a full history and specification of the organ, visit The Organ Historical Trust of Australia website

Our Music Staff

Mr Peter Guy, Organist and Master of the Choristers

Peter Guy is the youngest person to be appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers at Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle. Prior to this, Peter was Director of Music at St Stephen's Uniting Church, Macquarie St, Sydney. He is also the inaugural Director of Chapel Music at St Andrew's College within the University of Sydney.

Peter studied for his Bachelor of Music (majoring in pipe organ and choral conducting under Philip Matthias) at The University of Newcastle, which he received with first class honours and the University Medal, graduating with the highest grade point average of the entire Faculty of Education and Arts. During his time in Newcastle, Peter was the recipient of many awards, including the Michael Dudman Memorial Scholarship, The Newton John Prize for most outstanding graduate, the Vice Chancellor's Honours Scholarship and an Australian Postgraduate Award. Other accolades that Peter has obtained include the Alice Bryant Memorial Scholarship (offered by the Music Teachers Association of NSW), A.Mus.A (piano) and the Archbishops Certificate in Church Music (offered by the Guild of Church Musicians). During his time studying in Newcastle, Peter was Organ Scholar and Assistant Director of the St Nicholas' Choir at Christ Church Cathedral.

In 2003, Peter reached the national keyboard final of the Symphony Australia Young Performers Award, where he played Poulenc's Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani in g minor with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Rumon Gamba. This performance was broadcast on ABC Classic FM.

Peter has toured internationally with the University of Newcastle Chamber Choir on two occasions, playing in venues in France and the UK including St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Southwark Cathedral, London, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, as well as many venues through South Korea. Subsequently he was broadcast on BBC3 radio's Sunday Half Hour program in the UK and also performed for two Korean television stations.

Peter enjoys an active recital schedule, performing at venues including Wesley Uniting Church, Canberra, Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle, St James' Church, King St, St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney, the Barossa Valley, and Sydney and Adelaide Town Halls. He has also been invited to perform in Seattle, USA at the 2008 Organ Historical Society national convention.

Dr Keith Murree-Allen, Assistant Organist

Keith Murree-Allan studied organ with the late Keith Noake at Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle. Whilst studying Medicine at Sydney University, he was University Organ Scholar, being required to give organ recitals in the Great Hall each term. These recitals were broadcast live on the ABC. He was also accompanist to the Sydney University Musical Society under George Faunce-Allman. Keith has been associated with the Cathedral and its music since 1952, and Acting Organist between appointments of successive cathedral organists. In 1981 he followed Michael Dudman as Cathedral Organist and Master of the Choristers, a position Keith held until 1983 when he was granted the title Organist Emeritus at the Cathedral. Since then he has continued to play at the Cathedral regularly and has been accompanist to Newcastle University Choir for many years. He is also the conductor of The Tudor Singers. Keith is a respiratory physician at the John Hunter Hospital.

Mr Rhys Arvidson, Organ Scholar

Rhys played piano from a young age and in 1998 achieved Eighth Grade Piano AMEB. In 2000 Rhys began organ study first with Christopher Lancaster and later in 2003 with Peter Guy, both Christchurch Cathedral Organ Scholars at that time. In 2004 Rhys began undergraduate study at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, studying organ with Philip Matthias. In July 2005 Rhys was appointed an organ scholar at the Cathedral. Rhys is a native of Newcastle