Wayns Weekly - Moving Forward a Change of the Guard 2026/7
Dear all,
In 2002 Andy Lumsden took over from David Hill as Director of Music at the Cathedral. Part of his job description then was that he should be MD of the Wayns, which extended the tradition, since our foundation by Alwyn Surplice, of the Cathedral’s DoM being our MD. In 2002 people were worried about the change, but Andy has proved a brilliant leader for us over the years, not least in our recent wonderful Gerontius. But inevitably, we need to think about succession at some point.
When Andy left his role at the Cathedral in 2024, we agreed with Dean Catherine that we would like him to stay on as our MD “at least until a permanent new DoM was in place who was willing and able to lead the Wayns”, and Andy kindly agreed to stay on for what we all initially thought might be a year and has turned out to be much longer. From September, Katherine Dienes-Williams will be taking up her post and so now seems like the right time to think about transition. Andy believes that it is right that the Wayns role should be tied to the DoM role, as this is part of the tight link to the Cathedral that helps to make the Wayns distinctive. Andy also has a number of new projects in the pipeline, including working in Melbourne from July until October this year.
Our constitution says several things about our close links to the Cathedral, but doesn’t explicitly say anything about our MD, not least because it is based on the assumption that the DoM will be our MD. Having spoken with Katherine, she is very keen to take on the Wayns and has lots of energy and ideas. As those with long memories will know, she accompanied rehearsals under David Hill and conducted the Wayns for a term under him. So Katherine will be taking over from Andy as the MD of the Wayns in January 2027. As you know, we have a new Dean, The Very Reverend Chris Palmer, as our President, who is keen to be involved and interested in music. With a new President and a new MD there will be period of change for us, but we hope that this should provide some positive momentum and new ideas, and be exciting.
To manage the transition, and to ensure that Andy has a suitable final concert, we have agreed that Andy’s last concert as our leader will be at Christmas this year, when we will be performing Bach’s Christmas Oratorio in the Cathedral, which should be a fitting finale. Andy will be in Australia for the beginning of the term, so we will be in George’s capable hands, but Andy will be back after the half-term break to lead us in what we hope will be a triumphant final concert for him. And to reassure you, George will continue to support us and Katherine for as long as he wants to.
We have plenty of time now to plan a suitable farewell and find ways to thank Andy for his enormous contribution and consummate musicianship, and we ought to make sure after 25 years that we do this properly.
The Committee