Chapel Personnel
Who's Who?
THE DEAN, Gregory Seach, is responsible for the conduct of services in Chapel, and has a pastoral rôle among the Fellows, staff, students (undergraduate and graduate) and all members of the College. He is an Anglican priest, and as a Fellow of Clare, is Director-of-Studies in Theology and Religious Studies. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, his first degree was in English Literature from the University of Sydney. He then taught English, History and Drama for ten years, before moving to Melbourne to begin theological study at Trinity College, University of Melbourne and through the Melbourne College of Divinity. He was ordained and served his curacy in the Diocese of Melbourne, before coming to Cambridge as a graduate student, combining his two ‘former lives’ with studies in theology and literature. Gregory first came to Clare as Decani Scholar from 2006-7 and is delighted to return as Dean.
He may be contacted on: gjs32@cam.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1223 333240
THE DECANI SCHOLAR, Alexander Hampton, assists the Dean in the life of the Chapel. He is presently a PhD student in the Faculty of Divinity, working on religious aesthetics in Romantic period Germany. This historical work is situated within his wider interests of imagination and myth in the Platonic tradition, and re-enchantment in postmodernity. Alex is originally from Toronto, Canada, where he completed his BA in Literary Studies and Philosophy at Trinity College, University of Toronto. He has also studied at Stanford for an MA in Religious Studies, and wrote his MPhil on the Romantic philosophical theology of Coleridge at Oriel College, Oxford (Clare's sister college). Outside of Clare, Alex is the Treasurer of the Fitzwilliam Museum Society, one of his favourite places in Cambridge, and enjoys rambling on the Fens and mountaineering on the Continent.
He may be contacted on: ajbh2@cam.ac.uk
THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC, Graham Ross, is a composer and conductor of a wide range of repertoire, he has had works performed throughout Europe and beyond. A passionate believer in the unveiling of both unjustly-neglected and newly-penned works, he has given numerous first performances as both a pianist and conductor of a very broad spectrum of composers.
He is Principal Conductor/co-founder of The Dmitri Ensemble, with whom he has explored in particular many rarely performed and newly-composed works, and recorded works by James MacMillan (Naxos),Vaughan Williams (Albion Records), Judith Bingham (Signum) and Giles Swayne (Naxos). He guest conducts ensembles and orchestras across the UK and beyond, and is increasingly involved in the field of opera, having conducted in Jerusalem, Aldeburgh, Provence, Glyndebourne and beyond. He holds a special relationship with Aalborg Symfoniorkester, Denmark, where he has appeared many times as guest conductor.
As a composer recent performances have been given by, amongst others, Aurora Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, National Youth Choir of Great Britain, O Duo, and the Solstice Quartet, at festivals including Edington, Musique-Cordiale, Three Choirs and London Contemporary Church Music Festivals.
He may be contacted on: gr267@cam.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1223 333264
THE CHAPEL ADMINISTRATOR, Kate Littlechild, is responsible for running the day-to-day administration of the Chapel, including all Chapel bookings, producing service sheets and co-ordinating extra and special services. In addition she plays a large part in helping the Director of Music administratively with the musical side of Chapel and in particular with the Chapel Choir. She also looks after the Bennett Room in Memorial Court. Her Quaker upbringing and musical hobbies as a child – she plays the piano and the violin - have provided her with experiences relevant to the job she is doing. She read Spanish at Nottingham University, and her past jobs have included working for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the British Council. She enjoys contact with people. Kate is married to Tony, and they have three children. She works out regularly at the gym, listens to all types of music, enjoys foreign travel, and is at present researching her family history.
She may be contacted on: krl22@cam.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1223 333206
THE CHOIR ADMINISTRATOR, Abigail Gostick, manages the Choir's external engagements together with the day to day administration of the Choir. Abi has just graduated reading Music at Clare College, and whilst at the University, took part in many ensembles as both a singer and clarinettist. Abi was an also Choral Scholar in the Chapel Choir and sang in numerous operas including Mozart Le Nozze di Figaro and Strauss Die Fledermaus, as well as appearing as a soloist in West Road Concert Hall with Magsoc Music Society. Abi studied clarinet and voice at the junior department of the Royal Academy of Music, and was principal bass clarinet in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain from 2007-9 before coming to Cambridge as an Instrumental Award Holder, playing principal clarinet of Cambridge University Symphony Orchestra since 2010. In her spare time, Abi enjoys both listening to and singing jazz, watching films, and eating good food!
She may be contacted on: ajmg4@cam.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1223 333206
THE SIR WILLIAM McKIE ORGAN SCHOLAR, Peter Harrison is currently studying music. His role as organ scholar consists primarily of accompanying and occasionally directing The Choir of Clare College, as they undertake their busy schedule of regular choral services and international tours. Since starting at Cambridge he has performed solo at venues such as St Paul's and Canterbury Cathedrals, as well as more distant venues in France, the Netherlands, and Australia, and he accompanied the choir on its two most recent BBC radio broadcasts.
Peter started his organ tuition at Winchester College, studying with Paul Provost, Malcolm Archer, and Marie-Louise Langlais. Currently he is taught by James McVinnie and Douglas Hollick.
He may be contacted on: pmch2@cam.ac.uk
TH
E GEORGE LAW ORGAN SCHOLAR, Matthew Jorysz, is in his first year reading music. Last year he was organ scholar of Salisbury Cathedral where, in the absence of an Assistant Director of Music, his duties included playing for the majority of the daily services. Whilst at school he was taught by Ann Elise Smoot, gaining the Associateship Diploma of the Royal College of Organists with four prizes in 2010. More recently he has studied with Daniel Moult and he now learns with James McVinnie. As a recitalist he has played at St David's, Canterbury and Salisbury Cathedrals, and at the 2011 Three Choirs Festival in Worcester.
He may be contacted on:mdj29@cam.ac.uk