The Cathedral Organ
The organ was built by Henry ‘Father’ Willis in 1879, in consultation with Albert Lister Peace (Director of Music 1879–1897). This three-manual organ bore many similarities to other Willis instruments of the period, alongside various idiosyncrasies particular to Peace, like a 2’ Piccolo Harmonique, and the extended 32/61-note pedal and manual compasses. Rebuilds in 1903, 1913, 1922 and 1931 by later generations of the Willis firm enlarged the organ to four manuals, with consultation from the incumbent Directors of Music at each point (Herbert Walton and Clifford Smith).
Two cantilevered cases house the Great and Solo departments, with the majority of the pipework hidden throughout the quire triforium. The excellent Willis pipework of 1879, somewhat altered over the years, remains at the heart of the organ, while the Solo is mostly a new department by Harrison & Harrison, including some revoiced Walker pipework from 1971.
Full specification available here
Choir and music staff
Glasgow Cathedral Choir
sings for our weekly Sunday morning worship, performing an introit, anthem and offertory, and leading the congregation in the hymns. The choir is a professional ensemble, composed of eight trained voices. Regular appearances on Songs of Praise sit alongside featured broadcasts on BBC TV and radio, including national commemoration services and live performances on Classics Unwrapped.
There are currently no choral vacancies, but those interested in occasional deputy work can get in touch via the Contact Form.
Andrew Forbes, Director of Music
is an innovative Scottish organist, who celebrates classic works whilst exploring new possibilities for the organ—particularly in his frequent collaborations with composers. Appointed at Glasgow Cathedral aged 21, his playing creates ‘a symbiosis between artist and instrument’ (The Montrealer), earning him invitations to perform at venues including Philharmonie de Paris and St Paul’s Cathedral (London). Andrew advocates for the organ’s place in modern society; in 2023 he was invited to join the board of Scotland’s Churches Trust, where he chairs their Music Forum, and he is a founder of Sowne of Organe, a project surveying Scotland’s most significant (and endangered) historical organs.
Away from the console, Andrew directs the critically acclaimed Glasgow Cathedral Festival – described as ‘a minor miracle’ (VoxCarnyx) – with bold programming that brings life to the city’s oldest building. He teaches at Glasgow University and RCS, is a frequent guest with ensembles including the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and is in demand as a collaborative pianist, sound engineer and producer.
Andrew has learned with teachers including Dame Gillian Weir, Jan Waterfield and Hans Fagius, supported by awards from the Hope Scott Trust and the McGlashan Charitable Trust. He is a First Prize winner of the Northern Ireland International Organ Competition, a finalist at St Albans International Organ Competition, an Associate of the Royal College of Organists, and winner of the RCS Prize for Early Music. Andrew loves food, drink, and spending any free time with friends—preferably near water or up a hill. More info at www.andrewforbes.org
Prof Malcolm Sim, Cathedral Organist
studied piano from the age of four with Pearl Gelfer and subsequently organ with John Turner and Kevin Bowyer. He took up his first church organist post at the age of fourteen. He has been a regular contributor to the recital series on the fine Lewis instrument in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery. One of his performances was featured on BBC Breakfast Television.
Engagements as a pianist include at the State Opening of the Scottish Parliament in 2011, and at Glasgow’s St Andrew’s Cathedral in 2012, in the presence of Archbishop Conti and Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland.
Recitals this year have included St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh and the inauguration of the re-built Harrison organ in the historic Cromwellian church of Holy Trinity and St Mary in Berwick-upon-Tweed. He is playing in Salt Lake City, Utah next year and other 2014 recitals include St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh and a return visit to St Sulpice in Paris.
In 2012 he had the honour of contributing to the Queen’s Scottish Diamond Jubilee Service in Glasgow Cathedral.