Francesca Massey

Francesca Massey is Organist and Director of Music at Rochester Cathedral, taking the position in September 2019.[1] Previously she was Sub-Organist at Durham Cathedral from 2011.[2][3][4]

Born in Birmingham, Francesca was educated at Cambridge University and the Royal Northern College of Music (on a prestigious ABRSM Scholarship). She has held organ scholarships at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge and Manchester Cathedral, and was Assistant Organist at Great St Mary's Church, Cambridge and Assistant Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral.

At the age of 19, Massey gained all of the top prizes in the Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists’ diploma and was subsequently awarded the WT Best Memorial Scholarship and Silver Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians, and the Musicians Benevolent Fund’s Ian Fleming Award. Her teachers have included Jeremy Filsell, Kevin Bowyer, David Goode and Andrew Fletcher.

Massey performs regularly as a recitalist throughout the UK. Her debut solo disc entitled Bravura! (on the Priory Records label)[5] received excellent reviews: it was Editor’s Choice in Organists’ Review, and described as ‘a diverse and imaginative programme that is superbly played….a ‘must’ for all organ enthusiasts.’ [6] Her second solo disc, "The Forgotten Gem - Francesca Massey plays The Organ of King's Lynn Minster" received excellent coverage, with a five star rating in Organists' Review: "Massey's playing of the early repertoire is particularly engaging however she is equally at home in the 20th century literature. This instrument is well worth hearing and this disc admirably reflects its quality and versatility."[7]

Massey has played throughout Europe and South Africa as an accompanist, as well as recording a number of acclaimed CDs with various choirs; Gramophone Magazine describing her as a ‘hugely gifted accompanist.’ She is the Assistant Musical Director of The Durham Singers,[8] and is actively engaged as an organ teacher, having worked as a tutor on courses hosted by Oundle for Organists, the IAO and the RSCM amongst others. Massey also performs extensively as a continuo player and pianist.

She is no relation to the sometime organist of Hereford Cathedral, Roy Massey.

References
  1. "Appointment of Francesca Massey as Director of Music and Organist of Rochester Cathedral". Rochester Cathedral. Retrieved 2019-09-16.
  2. "Francesca Massey". Durham Cathedral. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
  3. "Durham Cathedral welcomes woman organist". BBC News. 2011-09-20. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
  4. "Francesca is cathedral class". Durham Advertiser. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
  5. "Bravura! Francesca Massey plays The Organ of Durham Cathedral | Britain's Premier Church Music Label". prioryrecords.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
  6. "CD Review: Bravura! Francesca Massey Plays the Organ of Durham Cathedral | Open Music Library". openmusiclibrary.org. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
  7. "The Forgotten Gem - Francesca Massey plays the Organ of King's Lynn Minster, Norfolk | Britain's Premier Church Music Label".
  8. "Conductors and singers". Durham Singers - Chamber Choir. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
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