Winchester Cathedral has appointed a new Director of Music, Katherine Dienes-Williams, who will join from Guildford Cathedral where she is Organist and Master of the Choristers.
Katherine Dienes-Williams was appointed to Guildford Cathedral in January 2008 following six years as Director of Music at the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick. She was the first female member to be elected to the Cathedral Organists’ Association, and on her appointment to Guildford, became the first woman to hold such a post in the Church of England. She is currently Chair of the Royal College of Organists.
Katherine is a former Organ Scholar at Winchester Cathedral and was Assistant Organist at Winchester College in the early 1990s.
Mrs Dienes-Williams said: “Winchester Cathedral is ideally positioned at the heart of its historic city to embody the best of our Anglican musical tradition. The Cathedral’s ongoing commitment to its Choral Foundation as a mainstay of worship and mission and its expansive, exciting ambitions for the future stand to enrich the musical, educational, and spiritual life of its diverse community.
“Although I am sad to be leaving Guildford Cathedral, I am delighted to be bringing my skills and experiences to the post of Winchester Cathedral’s Director of Music. I am committed to building on the Cathedral’s legacy of musical excellence, to develop its future, and to live and work in communal fellowship, offering music in worship dedicated to the glory of God.”
The Interim Dean of Winchester Canon Roland Riem said: “We are pleased that the careful process of recruiting a new Director of Music has been successful. We are grateful to the professional musicians who have helped us in this, David Hill, Stephen Darlington and Andrew Lucas, who has held the musical fort so capably since September 2024.”
The Dean Designate Canon Christopher Palmer added, “I was delighted to be part of the panel that interviewed Katherine, and am so pleased that she has accepted the invitation to become Director of Music at Winchester Cathedral. Katherine’s musicality, wide experience, and skill in training choirs will be a great asset to the Cathedral’s music, worship, and community life. I enormously look forward to working with her.”
Mrs Dienes-Williams will take up her post on 1st September, at the start of the next academic year, and will join the Senior Executive Team of the Cathedral.
ENDS
For further information, contact Lucy Rouse on lucy.rouse@winchester-cathedral.org.uk
Katherine Dienes-Williams’ biography:
Katherine Dienes-Williams MA, BMus, LTCL, FRCO, Hon ARSCM, Hon GCM was born and educated in Wellington, New Zealand and studied for a BA in Modern Languages and a BMus at Victoria University, Wellington. Katherine was Organ Scholar at Wellington Cathedral from 1988 to 1991 when she was appointed Assistant Organist there.
Katherine came to England in 1991 to take up the post of Organ Scholar at Winchester Cathedral and Assistant Organist at Winchester College. She has also held posts as Organist and Assistant Director of Music at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool, Assistant Organist and Director of the Cathedral Girls’ Choir at Norwich Cathedral prior to moving to Warwick as Director of Music at the Collegiate Church of St. Mary.
About Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral is one of the most historic and revered cathedrals in the United Kingdom, with a history dating back to the 7th century. Located in the heart of Winchester, Hampshire, the cathedral is a masterpiece of medieval architecture and a vibrant hub of worship, music, and cultural events, attracting visitors from all over the world.
Winchester Cathedral is open to visitors daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm, and on Sundays from 12.30pm to 3.00pm. Last entry is 30 mins before closure. For more information about and the events programme at Winchester Cathedral, visit www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/
Registered Charity Number: 1202915
