Martin Neary was crucial in growing Winchester’s music from the excellent foundations laid by Alwyn Surplice. He made music with all London’s orchestras, bringing these orchestras to Winchester, and in turn the choir to London. Martin put Winchester on the religious musical map, through Songs of Praise and television documentaries on ITV, Southern TV and the BBC.
Martin instigated international touring at Winchester, with multiple tours to France (including Notre Dame in Paris), the United States (including St. John the Divine in New York, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and Washington National Cathedral), in Australia, Brazil, Canada and elsewhere. Amidst all this, he maintained the highest of standards in Evensong and Sunday services in the Cathedral. Multiple awards included a platinum disc for Lloyd Webber’s Requiem, around 30 records, whilst prominent services included the Easter 1979 Royal Maundy Service.
Yet Martin was not just a musician. At first he studied theology at Cambridge, before switching to music as he felt this was the most effective means of expression. The Cathedral choir’s services and performances overseas encouraged many from where Winchester toured to come to Winchester in search of the Cathedral, her worship and her music. Martin had an excellent relationship with both Bishop John Taylor and Dean Michael Stancliffe. This symbiotic relationship worked greatly for the betterment of both music and mission in Winchester. Above all, he was kind, sympathetic and inspiring to his choristers. “