Cathedral Parish is looking for a talented young musician to become Brisbane’s next organ student

THE search has begun for the next organ scholar at St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Cathedral music director Christopher Trikilis says the organ scholarship, named for former director and prominent Brisbane musician Dr Ralph Morton, is being offered again in 2023 to a promising musician of the archdiocese.

“We are looking for Brisbane’s next organ scholar – a unique opportunity for a budding young musician to hone their musical skills in the unique environment of the cathedral,” he said.

“For a talented young musician considering this as a career, there couldn’t be a more inspiring or supportive environment.

“Sacred music – that music which is important and distinctive to the life of the Church – has its own flavor and its own idiom.

“For a young musician, the Cathedral is an incredible place to start their career, where the highest levels of liturgy and musical creation come together in all of Queensland.”

Mr. Trikilis said the role was deeply fulfilling on a faith and personal level, noting that the candidate must have a positive attitude and a love of learning.

“The combination of an incredible pipe organ, a grand cathedral, a solemn liturgy and talented musicians to work with is not offered anywhere else,” he said.

The announcement came after the cathedral’s Jubilee pipe organ was once again playable after months of inactivity.

Severely damaged in the February deluge when rainwater entered the cathedral, it took several months of restoration work to restore the instrument to working order.

“The water was supposed to stay outside the cathedral. But we all know big storms don’t follow the script,” Trikilis said.

“The cathedral organ is high up and the water likes to find its way down to ground level. Unfortunately for us, it came straight through the organ pipes.

Mr. Trikilis noted that it was a huge undertaking, after almost six months of repair and reassembly work. He hoped it wouldn’t happen again in the near future.

The pipe organ, built in Jubilee Year 2000, was one of the largest and most distinctive pipe organs in Queensland, he said.

It was also the last of Australia’s locally built major organs.

“The organ is central to the worship life of the cathedral – in all its forms,” Mr. Trikilis said.

“Visually and audibly it enhances and leads worship and prayer for thousands of people every week, so we are all thrilled to have it playing again.

Applications for the organ scholarship close in mid-October. For further information please contact cathedral.music@bne.catholic.net.au