Trinity welcomes Grammy-winning conductor Andrew Lumsden

Grammy Award-winning Conductor Dr. Andrew Lumsden will spend a week in residence at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, culminating in a special service of Choral Evensong on March 16, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. This service of Choral Evensong will include the world premiere of a choral anthem written by Lumsden and jointly commissioned by Trinity and Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston, SC. The anthem’s text is inspired by the life and writings of William Alexander Guerry, the eighth Episcopal Bishop of South Carolina, who was shot and killed in 1928 by a priest who disagreed with the bishop’s position on advancing racial equality in South Carolina.

The Very Reverend Dane Boston, dean of Trinity Cathedral, celebrated this appointment: “At the very heart of Trinity's common life is the worship of Almighty God through the splendors of our Anglican choral tradition. Andrew is an artist who has devoted his life and great gifts to this tradition, and alongside our sisters and brothers at Grace Church Cathedral, we are thrilled to welcome him to South Carolina.”

During his week in residence, Lumsden will rehearse with Trinity’s youth and adult choirs and offer his expertise in the sacred music of the Anglican tradition. He will spend a week in residence at Grace Cathedral after his week at Trinity Cathedral.

Lumsden stepped down in July 2024 after 22 years as organist and director of music at Winchester Cathedral in England. Under his leadership, the Winchester Cathedral Choristers, along with conductors Stephen Barton (a former chorister) and Gordy Haab, won a 2024 Grammy Award for best soundtrack for video games and other interactive media. The choristers recorded the soundtrack for “Star Wars: Jedi Survivor” at Abbey Road Studios in London. 

“It is an honor to have a musician and conductor of Andrew Lumsden’s stature spend a full week in residence with our choirs,” said Trinity’s Director of Music Paul Thomas. “Dr. Lumsden is a gifted teacher, and has a long record of inspiring boys and girls to great musical achievements and future accomplishments. I look forward to seeing how we all grow under his leadership.”

Comprised of 98 singers ages 5 through adult, the choirs of Trinity Cathedral have sung concerts and worship services around the world. The choristers spent a week in residency at Hereford Cathedral in England last summer. Closer to home, the combined choir presents two concerts each year in Trinity’s beautiful and historic Cathedral, including Handel’s Messiah.

“Trinity Cathedral has a strong reputation for its accomplished choir program,” Lumsden said. “It will be a privilege to work with these singers to hone their craft and glorify God together.” 
Prior to his tenure at Winchester, Lumsden served at Southwark Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Lichfield Cathedral.

Lumsden trained at Winchester College, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD, now known as The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) and St. John's College, Cambridge. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music from the University of Winchester in 2023. He also recently started a classical music show for a community radio station in Southampton.

To arrange interviews or news coverage of Dr. Lumsden's visit, please contact Director of Communications Bridget Winston at bwinston@trinitysc.org or 803-461-7301.