I am pleased to announce happy news for Benjamin Sheen, our Associate Organist. He has accepted a call to a new position as Sub-Organist at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, UK. This Cathedral is the College Chapel as well as the cathedral church for the Diocese of Oxford. Christ Church is home to a vibrant community with a rich tradition and a fine Cathedral Choir.
Ben tells us:
“I am honoured and delighted to have been appointed as the next Sub-Organist of Christ Church Cathedral. As a former organ scholar at Christ Church, I am excited to return to this historic institution and I look forward to being part of the next chapter in its musical history, working alongside the choir, organ scholars, and Director of Music, Steven Grahl. While I look forward to moving back to the UK, I will always treasure the years I have spent at Saint Thomas and will miss my colleagues and the Parish immensely.”
Our Director of Music, Dr. Jeremy Filsell, writes:
“Many congratulations to our Associate Organist Ben Sheen as he prepares to take up a new appointment back in England. Ben has been at St. Thomas’s for seven years and during his time here, has seen the church and its music through some significant transitions. He has done this with extraordinary skill and diplomacy and, in my own early days as Director of Music here, with remarkable professionalism and skill. I will be so sad to lose such a supportive and brilliant colleague, but know that our loss will be Christ Church’s gain. We thank Ben for all he has given to St. Thomas’s over his time here and wish him well with a deserved and ever-burgeoning career.”
Benjamin Sheen has proven himself to be an organist and choral conductor with an international reputation during his time at Saint Thomas. He played a pivotal role in the transition of Organists following the tragic death of John Scott in 2015. During that following year, Ben stepped up and, with his colleague Stephen Buzard, admirably led the music program and concerts series that John had devised. We will be sad to see him go but we are delighted that he returns to Oxford and will have further opportunity to broaden his already accomplished musical portfolio.
Benjamin Sheen will continue to serve as our Associate Organist until Christmas of this year. Please join me in congratulating him on his new appointment, and we look forward to his remaining time with us before his departure.
Canon Carl Turner
Rector
