Wednesday 9 April 2025 at 1PM
Organ Recital performed by Simon Mercer
Toccata on Hanover, Fantasy 6 Op.73 – Kenneth Leighton (1929-1988)
Ach bleib’ mit Deiner Gnade Op.68 no.4 – Flor Peeters (1903-1986)
Four Variations on “Noel Nouvelet” – Daniel W. Smith (b. 1995)
Ciacona in C mi BuxWV 159 – Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707)
Reveille (2023) – Joshua Brown (b. 1989)
Alle Menschen müssen sterben (Partita) – J. Pachelbel (1653 – 1706)
Incantation pour un jour Saint – Jean Langlais (1907-1991)
Simon Mercer was a chorister from the age of 7. He studied the organ at Chichester Cathedral with Alan Thurlow and the trumpet in London with Crispian Steele-Perkins. He moved to the University of Sheffield as an undergraduate, studying the organ with Graham Matthews and then to the RNCM for postgraduate study with Dame Gillian Weir, Ronald Frost, Eric Chadwick and David Francis. Whilst at Sheffield, Simon directed many University Ensembles and Choirs, assisted at the Cathedral and worked with the Sheffield City Music Service. During a 25-year teaching career culminating as Director of Music at the King’s School in Macclesfield, followed by Freelancing in September 2014, Simon was an ABRSM Examiner from 2002 – 2024 and worked with the RNCM Symphony Chorus; he was the Founding Director of the Hallé Choral Academy launched at the same time. The Royal College of Organists appointed Simon as an Accredited Teacher in 2015, then was appointed Organ and Piano Teacher at The Manchester Grammar School. As School Organist, Simon plays for concerts and services at the RNCM, Bridgewater Hall and Manchester Cathedral. He also works with Withington Girls School, Manchester High School for Girls and Stockport Grammar School as organist and accompanist. Simon joined the academic staff at Junior RNCM in 1992 and has been the Organ Tutor for over 25 years. He has directed the JRNCM Vocal Ensemble since 2013 and has been the Musical Director of Hayfield Singers since 2017. Simon played the Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony with High Peak Orchestra in St. John’s Church, Buxton in July 2023 and has been invited to teach on the prestigious “Chetham’s International Piano School” in August.
