Thomas Wilson - Festival recitalist - New Zealand Organ Association

Thomas Wilson

Born in Hamilton, New Zealand, Thomas Wilson held positions at both the Anglican and the Roman Catholic Cathedrals in that city before being appointed Director of Music at Wellington Metropolitan Cathedral at the age of 18.

In 2003 Thomas moved to the UK to study organ with Professor David Titterington at the Royal Academy of Music in London. While a student he made his debut performance in the Wigmore Hall accompanying cellist Stephen Isserlis, and appeared as concert soloist with the Royal Academy Baroque Orchestra. He was appointed Organist and Assistant Director to the Choir of Ealing Abbey before becoming Assistant Organist at Westminster Cathedral, where the famed Cathedral Choir sings daily Vespers and Mass. At Westminster he regularly accompanied and directed the Choir, performed in the Cathedral’s Grand Organ Recital series, toured with the Choir, and featured as organist on a recording of music by Victoria and Frescobaldi. Thomas subsequently became Westminster Cathedral’s first lay Precentor, with responsibility for planning and coordinating the Cathedral’s Liturgy, in addition to his duties as Assistant Organist.

From 2010 to 2023 Thomas Wilson was Director of Music at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, where he established a regular schedule of daily choral liturgical services, and oversaw the development of the busiest and most comprehensive Cathedral Music program in Australia. Thomas conducted the Cathedral Choir in concerts and festivals throughout Australia, Belgium, and Italy, broadcast on Channel 7, ABC television and radio, recorded several CDs, and collaborated with some of Australia’s finest orchestras, choirs, and solo artists.

In 2013 Thomas was elected Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.

In 2022 Thomas Wilson performed solo organ recitals in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, St Peter’s Cathedral, Adelaide, and St George’s Cathedral, Perth, where one reviewer noted “…the considerable musicianship and technical prowess of organist Thomas Wilson, … who on this occasion returned to St George’s to offer a stimulating and varied program… This superb concert … opened the eyes – or ears – to a new world.” (Limelight Magazine)