Richard Seal
Encyclopedia
Richard Godfrey Seal is an English
organist
and conductor
, who served from 1968-1997 as organist and master of the choristers at Salisbury Cathedral
.
, Surrey
, England
. As a child he was a chorister at New College, Oxford
. He continued his education at Cranleigh School
, Surrey and then became organ scholar at Christ's College, Cambridge
. This was followed with a year's study at the Royal College of Music
, London
. The same year he served as assistant organist at the Kingsway Hall, London. After doing National Service he became assistant organist at St Bartholomew-the-Great
Smithfield
, London (1960–1961), and then assistant organist to John Birch
at Chichester Cathedral
, England (1961–1968).
In 1968 he took up the post of organist and master of the choir at Salisbury Cathedral
, a position which he held until 1997. While at Salisbury Cathedral he made many recordings and broadcasts with the Salisbury Cathedral choir. He was conductor of the Salisbury Orchestral Society (and President) from 1969 to 1994. In 1991 Seal founded the first ever English cathedral girls' choir at Salisbury Cathedral. At the time of its recruitment it consisted of 18 singers aged between 8 and 11 years. When singing in the cathedral, the girls' choir is completely independent of the boys' choir. In recognition of his distinguished service to English cathedral music Seal was awarded a Doctor of Music
Lambeth degree
in 1992.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
and conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, who served from 1968-1997 as organist and master of the choristers at Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an Anglican cathedral in Salisbury, England, considered one of the leading examples of Early English architecture....
.
Biography
Richard Godfrey Seal was born 4 December 1935 in BansteadBanstead
Banstead is a town in the borough of Reigate and Banstead in the county of Surrey, England, on the border with Greater London. It lies south of London, west of Croydon and of the county town of Kingston-Upon-Thames. Banstead is on the North Downs and is protected by the Metropolitan Green Belt;...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. As a child he was a chorister at New College, Oxford
New College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
. He continued his education at Cranleigh School
Cranleigh School
Cranleigh School is an independent English boarding school in the village of Cranleigh, Surrey. It was founded in 1865 as a boys' school and started to admit girls in the early 1970s. It is now co-educational. The current headmaster is Guy de W...
, Surrey and then became organ scholar at Christ's College, Cambridge
Christ's College, Cambridge
Christ's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.With a reputation for high academic standards, Christ's College averaged top place in the Tompkins Table from 1980-2000 . In 2011, Christ's was placed sixth.-College history:...
. This was followed with a year's study at the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The same year he served as assistant organist at the Kingsway Hall, London. After doing National Service he became assistant organist at St Bartholomew-the-Great
St Bartholomew-the-Great
The Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great is an Anglican church located at West Smithfield in the City of London, founded as an Augustinian priory in 1123 -History:...
Smithfield
Smithfield, London
Smithfield is an area of the City of London, in the ward of Farringdon Without. It is located in the north-west part of the City, and is mostly known for its centuries-old meat market, today the last surviving historical wholesale market in Central London...
, London (1960–1961), and then assistant organist to John Birch
John Birch (musician)
John Birch is an internationally renowned Recitalist, Concert Organist and Organ Scholar. He was educated at Trent College, Derbyshire and left in July 1947 to study at the Royal College of Music, London....
at Chichester Cathedral
Chichester Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, otherwise called Chichester Cathedral, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in Sussex, England...
, England (1961–1968).
In 1968 he took up the post of organist and master of the choir at Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an Anglican cathedral in Salisbury, England, considered one of the leading examples of Early English architecture....
, a position which he held until 1997. While at Salisbury Cathedral he made many recordings and broadcasts with the Salisbury Cathedral choir. He was conductor of the Salisbury Orchestral Society (and President) from 1969 to 1994. In 1991 Seal founded the first ever English cathedral girls' choir at Salisbury Cathedral. At the time of its recruitment it consisted of 18 singers aged between 8 and 11 years. When singing in the cathedral, the girls' choir is completely independent of the boys' choir. In recognition of his distinguished service to English cathedral music Seal was awarded a Doctor of Music
Doctor of Music
The Doctor of Music degree , like other doctorates, is an academic degree of the highest level. The D.Mus. is intended for musicians and composers who wish to combine the highest attainments in their area of specialization with doctoral-level academic study in music...
Lambeth degree
Lambeth degree
A Lambeth degree is an academic degree conferred by the Archbishop of Canterbury under the authority of the Ecclesiastical Licences Act 1533 as successor of the papal legate in England...
in 1992.