Biography

After graduating from the University of Hull in July 2005, Richard McVeigh spent a year as Organ Scholar at Chester Cathedral, before moving to York Minster as Organ Scholar.

In 2002, Richard became the Organ Scholar of the Edward Boyle Organ Scholarship at the University of Hull. In conjunction with the Edward Boyle Organ Scholarship is an assistantship at the minster church of Beverley. This saw Richard playing for two Choral Evensongs a week at the Minster under Alan Spedding, and taking rehearsals on a frequent basis.

During his time as Senior Organ Scholar at Hull, Richard was the director of the university Chapel Choir who fully choral services, including Choral Eucharist, Choral Evensong, Remembrances Services, Concerts and in 2004, a masterclass taken by Ian Currior. During Richard's time at Hull, the Chapel Choir sang at all the major churches, minsters and cathedrals in and around East Yorkshire.

Whilst at the University, Richard took part in Organ Masterclasses by James O’ Donnell, James Lancelot and Ian Currior. While at university, Richard studied organ with John Scott Whiteley of York Minster and Alan Spedding of Beverley Minster.

Duties at York Minster include playing a full part in the induction, training and care of the probationers, and being the accompanist for the Girls' choir. During his time at York, Richard has played for many concerts in the Minster including Duruflé's Requiem, Stanford's Stabat Mater and accompanying the boys, girls and men in a concert for Dr. Francis Jackson's 90th birthday. Richard has also recorded on the organ for BBC Radio York.

Born in December 1983, he was trained as a chorister at Chesterfield Parish Church from the age of nine under the Organist and Master of the Choristers, Michael Baker. During his time with this choir he has taken part in recordings, broadcasts and tours (national and international), singing at most of the major venues in the UK. Venues also included Venice, Florence and Rome in Italy.

Being an accompanist and a recitalist, Richard has performed up and down the country, including the Cathedrals of Gloucester, Bath, Lincoln, Manchester, Worcester, Edinburgh, Durham, York, Chester, Ripon and Tewkesbury. He has performed with orchestras and has accompanied many different choirs and choral societies.