New Music Director for Winchelsea Church

He succeeds Jean Taverner, who recently retired from the post after many years of dedicated service.

Roger starts by giving an informal ‘Meet the New Organist’ concert tonight (Friday) at 7.30pm, giving everyone an opportunity to hear and meet him.

He said: “The programme is made of some of my favourite pieces – everything from Bach and Buxtehude through to fun things like ‘Eine Kleine Liftmusicke’, so there should be something for everyone.”

Refreshments will be available, and there is a retiring collection for St Thomas’ music funds.

Father Howard Cocks, Rector of Winchelsea with Icklesham, said: “I am truly delighted to have Roger working with me again; he was my organist at St Aidan’s Leicester. It will be an exciting adventure for us all as Roger brings us his enthusiasm, musicianship and leadership skills to the post.”

Roger said of his appointment: “Music has a significant role to play in the worship here at St Thomas’, and I’m really excited at the prospect of making so much more of the talents that are ripe for development, young and not-so-young alike, but especially those within our Junior Choir; we have to remember that these young people are our musical successors.

“My hope is that I can very quickly establish a cohesive structure to the way music is organised here, not just in the short term, but also for the years ahead. That will in turn aid in recruiting new talent – singers and instrumentalists alike are within that plan.”

Marion Lovell, who leads the Junior Choir at St Thomas’, added: “It is really good that the children are being included so comprehensively in Roger’s plans; seeing young talent grow is very rewarding, and the children reap the benefits in many other ways too. I look forward to working more closely with Roger.”

Enquires about either the Junior or Senior choir, or any other aspect concerning music at St Thomas’ Winchelsea, are welcome; contact Roger Marvin on 01797 363 578 or email [email protected].