Choir staff and Organ Scholars

Director of Music - Richard Pinel

Richard Pinel took up the post of Director of Music at Jesus College, Cambridge in 2017. Prior to this he spent nearly eight years as Assistant Director of Music of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, during which time he gained international recognition as an organist. He also held similar posts at Magdalen College, Oxford and Perth Cathedral, Australia and the organ scholarship of St Albans Cathedral and Magdalen College, Oxford. Read Richard's full biography.

Tel: +44 (0)1223 339474
Email: director-of-music@jesus.cam.ac.uk

Chapel and Choir Office Coordinator – Eleanor Lancelot

You can contact the Chapel and Choir Office Coordinator about concerts and the choirs.

Tel: +44 (0)1223 339699
Email: choir@jesus.cam.ac.uk

Organ Scholar – Drew Sellis

Drew attended Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet from 2013-2020, and has held organ and choral scholarships at St. Mary-at-Finchley and St. Jude-on-the-Hill Parish churches respectively, where he regularly played and sung for Sunday services. During this time, he studied organ with Christopher Muhley and Anne Marsden Thomas MBE.

He has taken part in a wide variety of musical projects, recently including accompanying Orff’s ‘Carmina Burana’ with Enfield Choral Society and Rutter’s ‘Birthday Madrigals’ with Nevill Holt Opera. In addition to 2 ARSM diplomas, Drew has won both popular and composition sections in the Spring Grove Music Festival in three consecutive years, prizes in the North London Festival of Music, and a Silver Award in his Grade 8 Organ. He was also announced a ‘Chamber Champion’ at the Pro Corda Festival 2020 for his performance with the Queen Elizabeth’s Saxophone Quartet.

Drew is a frequent recitalist, having put on his own concerts at St. Mary-at-Finchley, The Queen’s College Oxford, and St. Lawrence Jewry. He is looking forward to playing Glazunov’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone with Finchley Choral Society in the coming months.

Email: choir@jesus.cam.ac.uk

Organ Scholar – Michael D'Avanzo

Michael was a chorister at Hereford Cathedral until 2015, when he took up the organ, studying with Geraint Bowen. In 2020, he was appointed Organ Scholar at St Davids Cathedral, singing for several BBC Radio broadcasts as well as regularly accompanying the choirs. He then moved to Southwell Minster as Organ Scholar, where he was involved in the Minster’s education and music outreach programmes as well as working closely with the choristers. In Southwell, he also performed alongside the Musical and Amicable Society for the Minster Chorale’s annual Messiah concert.

Michael’s solo performances have included recitals in cathedrals and churches across the country as well as a performance of Handel’s 13th Organ Concerto alongside Music for a While.

Michael is now in his first year at Cambridge, reading for a degree in Music.

Email: choir@jesus.cam.ac.uk