Downing appoints its first Director of College and Chapel Music

In a bold initiative to coordinate and strengthen the College’s arts profile, the Master and Fellows have appointed David Lowe as Downing’s very first Director of College and Chapel Music from October 2018.

Based in a new Music Centre on T staircase, David will coordinate and publicise the activities of the College’s many and various Music Societies. He will devise a series of concerts, recitals and workshops featuring young talented artists in their twenties and thirties, many of whom began their musical life as students at Cambridge. These musical events will showcase the wonderful facilities of the College Chapel, Heong Gallery, Howard Theatre, Master’s Lodge and the (soon-to-be-refurbished) Music Room. The aim will also be to invite participation in instrumental and vocal music of every genre from all over the entire College community - undergraduates, postgraduates, Fellowship and staff.

He will act as mentor to the student directors of the fine college’s Chapel Choir. This follows on the pioneering work undertaken over the last three years by Dr Christopher Robinson. It also enhances the reputation of Downing Chapel Choir as a friendly, ambitious community of singers who enrich the worship of the Chapel services and undertake tours around the UK and globally. 

A series of Organ recitals in the Chapel will celebrate the beautiful, new Kenneth Tickell organ concert both alone and in various instrumental and vocal combinations. 

David has an international reputation as a voice teacher, working around Europe and the USA. He researches in vocal and choral pedagogy. Has been a vocal professor at the Royal Academy of Music and Royal Northern College of Music for the last 20 years. He was Master of the Music of Norwich Cathedral from 2007 until 2011. His pupils work extensively in concert halls and opera houses the world over. He has taught singing and directing in Cambridge for the past 30 years.

David Lowe's profile.

Published 22 October 2018.