Cathedral Choir
Singing has been part of the history of St David’s since its earliest days.
In 1837 there was an advert for membership of a choir of 4 boys or girls, the first pipe organ in an Australian Church having been installed in 1825. From this rudimentary start the choir remains a fundamental part of Cathedral worship 187 years later.
Under the direction of Thomas Rimes with a repertoire ranging from the 16th Century to pieces specially written for St Davids, the choir continues to lift hearts and minds of all who hear them. The Cathedral Choir welcomes enquiries from those interested in joining. If you enjoy singing and would like to learn more, please contact the Cathedral Office: office@saintdavids.org.au
Director of Music – Mr Thomas Rimes
Cathedral Organists – Prof. Rod Thomson, Mr Peter Warren & Mrs Margaret Sallis
Cathedral Pipe Organ
The first organ of St David’s Cathedral was a small instrument of one manual built by John Gray of London in 1823. In 1858 this fine instrument, the oldest in the country, was moved to St Matthew’s Anglican Church Rokeby. Its successor was an instrument of two manuals and pedals built by London firm, Bishop and Starr. A small amount of its pipework has been retained in the present instrument. In 1909 and 1916, the organ was enlarged by the Melbourne firm of George Fincham & Sons with a major rebuilding undertaken by J. W. Walker & Sons in 1958. The action was converted to electro-pneumatic, a new blower provided, and the console moved from the organ case to the south side of the choir.
Between 1999 and 2005 substantial tonal renovation was carried out by the local firm of Gibbs & Thomson, with a view to improving the organ’s projection, coherence and versatility. The result is an instrument still in the English romantic tradition, but with the ability to make sense of music from the German baroque and French romantic and modern traditions.
The Bells of St David's
The Bells of St David’s are rung every Sunday morning prior to the 10am service (9:15am to 9:55am).
The Bellringers practice each Monday evening from 7:30pm to 9pm.
Bells are also rung for weddings and other church and civic occasions on request.
The bells are designed to be swung through a full circle in the English tradition, which allows the ringers to practise the art of change ringing.
For further information, please visit the Hobart Bellringers website here.
