Gavin Phelps has been involved with music here at Bath Abbey since he was seven years old, initially as a member of the Abbey’s “Melody Makers” choir. He became a chorister in 2017 and began organ lessons in 2019, aged ten.  Now head chorister, Gavin plays organ and piano for services in the Abbey and, as well as performing on the Klais organ here in Bath, has had the chance to play the Klais organ of Leeds Cathedral and the organ at Leeds Town Hall.  As part of the junior Oundle for Organists course last April, he played the organs in Oundle and neighbouring villages, as well as several of the chapel organs at Cambridge University.  He has also enjoyed playing the organs at Winchester Cathedral and Buckfast Abbey. In March 2023 Gavin competed in the Organ Section of the Bristol Eisteddfod and won first place in the Bach and Repertoire Classes.  He also recently participated in the RCO Teenage Organists Day in London, with tuition from Simon Williams and Daniel Moult. In August of this year, he travelled to Armagh to take part in the Northern Ireland International Organ Competition.  He was delighted to be awarded 3^rd place in the Intermediate Category and to have the opportunity to play in a masterclass under renowned organist Isabelle Demurs.

In addition to performing, Gavin enjoys composition and improvisation.  He was 2nd prize winner in the under-18 category of the Composition competition to celebrate the newly restored York Minster organ, with his piece Joyful Exultation.  In September 2022 he travelled up to York for a composition masterclass (part of his prize) with Philip Moore (former Director of Music at the Minster).  Last year he was selected as one of the Ora Singers “Young Apprentice” composers and enjoyed a series of composition tutorials from one of the choir’s composers.  Gavin learns piano with Keith Porter-Snell and earlier this year gave a piano recital in the Abbey.  He also has singing lessons with Craig Bissex.  Gavin attends Ralph Allen School where he is a member of the school orchestra, choir and Jazz Ensemble.  He also plays percussion in the B&NES senior orchestra and City of Bath Training Brass Band.

Programme

J.S. Bach (1685-1750) – Prelude and Fugue in C BWV 545

P. Hindemith (1895-1963) – Sonata no 2 –  1. Lebhaft       2. Ruhig bewegt        3. Fuge

L. Boëllmann (1862-1897) – Suite Gothique

1. Introduction – Choral    2. Menuet gothique     3. Prière à Notre-Dame    4. Toccata