A former chorister at a Dundee church is performing to his biggest audience today as he plays a pivotal role in the royal wedding.
Robert Quinney takes his place at Westminster Abbey as organist for the occasion.
The celebrated musician, who is a specialist in the work of Johann Sebastian Bach, used to be a choir singer for St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Dundee. He remained with the choral group for around three years when he lived in Tayside as a young boy in the late 1980s.
Robert Lightband, who was the organist director of music at St Paul’s at around this time, recalled the young man as being well liked by everyone but said there was no hint as to the eventual heights he would reach as an organist.
“He did not appear to be terribly interested in the organ,” said Mr Lightband. “However, he has gone on to be highly successful and is now one of the finest organists in the country.”
Mr Lightband went on to praise Mr Quinney’s style of playing and firmly believes he can cope with the immense pressure surrounding the ceremony.
“He is much more laid back than I would be,” continued Mr Lightband. “He will make it look effortless and conduct himself in a very professional manner.”
Mr Lightband, who still teaches the organ, said he rearranged today’s lessons so he could watch the ceremony with one eye on the former chorister.
“It will be interesting to hear him play not just from a musician’s point of view but to also listen to how they have used the music,” he said.
Mr Quinney holds the prestigious title of sub-organist at Westminster Abbey and is recognised as one of the UK’s finest exponents of organ music. He attended Hillside Primary before his father, who was an administrator at Ninewells Hospital, and the family moved south.
After leaving Dundee Mr Quinney studied at Eton and at King’s College, Cambridge, where he gained the prestigious title of Organ Scholar from 1995 to 1998.
In 2004 he was appointed to his present post at Westminster Abbey and has performed with the Abbey Choir on concert tours to the United States and Australia.
In addition to his day-to-day work commitments, Mr Quinney is also an accomplished solo performer who has seen his profile steadily increase after winning the Royal College of Organists Performer of the Year competition in 2002.
Photo by Flickr user aurlien.