Brentwood: Reception for retirement of Cathedral organist Stephen King

Andrew Wright, Stephen King. Image: Phil Thomas

A reception took place recently to mark the retirement of Brentwood Cathedral organist Stephen King. He had been in the post for 33 years and eight months, coincidentally the age he was when he first arrived at the newly built cathedral. His partnership with Musical Director Andrew Wright over that time has proved to be extremely fruitful and he will be much missed.

The reception was attended by parishioners, choir members and dignitaries and followed a Mass at the cathedral, at which Stephen played some favourite pieces of music. Vincent Thompson, a former High Sheriff of Essex, former Deputy Lieutenant and Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Essex and a trustee of the Brentwood Cathedral and Choral Trust for over 25 years, paid tribute to Stephen's "extraordinary technical skills and dedication". He said: "Your warmth, and your generosity, your humour, in addition to your technical musical skills, have contributed enormously to [the development and well-being of] the cathedral choir and the vision of the late Bishop Thomas McMahon."

Cathedral Dean Canon John Harvey agreed, saying: "We have been uniquely privileged every Sunday to have such a great quality of music over so many years."

Andrew Wright said that Stephen was "highly talented, totally reliable, very hard working and very kind," adding that "Brentwood Cathedral would not be on the map internationally without your hard work and your vision." Moreover, he said, his talents and energy have also benefitted a whole group of other organisations including Southend Boys and Girls Choirs, the Royal College of Organists, Bravissima and the Hutton & Shenfield Choral Society.

An Anglican, Stephen comes from a musical family. "My father played the violin and my mother played the piano by ear - and I started learning to play the piano at five." At nine, he began showing an interest in the organ, having attended a Wednesday evening recital at the Royal Festival Hall. "I was also encouraged by a benevolent gentleman at church, who suggested I might like to have a go."

He would go on to play regularly at St Michael and All Angels church at Gidea Park, was often asked to play at other churches, and was a junior exhibitioner at Trinity College of Music on the piano and organ. "I gained an organ scholarship to the University of Sussex, where I read Maths." He would go on to spend his working life in the NHS while playing on the side. "Accountancy was my means of earning a living and music took second place - but in reality, I had two jobs throughout my working life."

And that duality is something which has brought him considerable satisfaction. An accountant on the charity side of the NHS, he worked at Moorfields Eye Hospital, the Royal London and St Bartholemew's, ending up at the Royal Free Hospital before retirement in 2017. His skills and his passion for music saw him become a Trustee of the Royal College of Organists and chairman of its Finance Committee.

And his connection with Brentwood Cathedral both in terms of his organist role and his interaction with choirs has been extremely rewarding. From Justice Services to Songs of Praise, episcopal ordinations and funerals, to music written specifically for the Cathedral by composers like John Rutter, Diana Burrell, Colin Mawby and Philip Ledger, to choral performances in Notre Dame and St Peter's Basilica in Rome, and association with the Southend Boys and Girls Choirs, he has many wonderful memories. "I have enjoyed it immensely. It has given me so many opportunities, most of which I couldn't have dreamt about."

In retirement, he does not intend to rest on his laurels and is already playing at churches where requested - including Chelmsford Cathedral and St Edward's Anglican Church in Romford. Following his appointment as Organist Emeritus of Brentwood Cathedral at the end of the reception, he will no doubt sometimes deputise there too.