Andrew Reid Appointed As Hereford Cathedral's Director Of Music 🎼

[Hereford Voice]

Hereford Cathedral is pleased to announce that, following the retirement of Geraint Bowen, Andrew Reid will become the cathedral’s new Director of Music.

Andrew, who is currently Director of Music at Little St Mary’s Church in Cambridge, will also hold the position of Conductor of Hereford Choral Society and on appointment as Artistic Director of the Hereford Three Choirs Festival, will be responsible for programming the 300th edition in 2028.

Prior to his current position, Andrew was Managing Director of Harrison & Harrison Organ Builders (2017–22) and also Director of the Royal School of Church Music. He worked in cathedral music between 1996 and 2012 as Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral, Sub Organist of Westminster Abbey, and Assistant Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral. In the latter two positions he played for the funerals of HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Cardinal Basil Hume and accompanied various critically acclaimed recordings on the Hyperion label. While in Peterborough he directed the Northampton Bach Choir and instigated choral and orchestral concerts in the cathedral.

Andrew, who is originally from Kent and educated at Cambridge, is married to Louise, and they have four children, who have all been cathedral choristers. He also once performed the complete organ works of JS Bach in a single 25-hour recital!

The Very Revd Sarah Brown, Dean of Hereford, said: ‘I’m looking forward to welcoming Andrew, Louise and their family to the community of Hereford Cathedral and hope that they will come to be as much loved by the community as Geraint and Lucy have been over the last 24 years. I’m excited to see what Andrew will do to help us steer cathedral music wisely and carefully through a difficult climate.’

Andrew Reid says: ‘I feel immensely privileged to be succeeding Geraint Bowen as Director of Music at Hereford Cathedral, working with an excellent choir, and taking a leading role in the Three Choirs Festival. I am grateful for the warmth of welcome I have already received from the cathedral clergy and staff. Music has been central to the cathedral’s worship and identity for many centuries, and I look forward to nurturing it through the next chapter of its story.”

Andrew will be joining the cathedral team in late spring and, until that time, Peter Dyke will step into the role of Interim Director of Music.

Geraint’s final service at Hereford Cathedral will be Evensong on Tuesday 10 February. On Sunday 8 February, following the Sunday Eucharist, the community of Hereford Cathedral will be coming together to wish Geraint and Lucy a fond farewell with presentations in the cathedral nave – all are welcome to join.