Roger Sayer
Roger Sayer
Roger Sayer is Organist of Rochester Cathedral. He began his musical career as a chorister in Portsmouth. He went on to study at the Royal College of Music under the late Nicholas Danby, winning all the major organ prizes. Between 1980 and 1984 he was organ student at St. Paul's Cathedral, London and in 1981 was appointed organist of Woodford Parish Church, where he built up a fine musical tradition.
Since graduating he has been constantly in demand as an organist and conductor. He makes regular visits to Scandinavia as well as giving numerous concerts in most parts of Europe and the USA. Recently these included performances in St Paul's Cathedral London in the Celebrity Series and Riverside Church in New York. In 1989 he won third prize in the St Albans International Organ Competition and in the same year was appointed Assistant Organist at Rochester Cathedral. In 1994 Roger was promoted to the position of Organist and Director of Music at Rochester Cathedral, his responsibilities included: directing the traditional boys choir on a daily basis as well as directing the Girls' Choir & Senior Girls' Choir which he established in 1995 and 2004 respectively. In September 2008 he relinquished the post to concentrate on his freelance activities but remains as Cathedral Organist. Roger is the Musical Director of the Rochester Choral Society.
Roger has made numerous highly acclaimed recordings both as an organist and conductor. He frequently directs choral workshops and has initiated and directed several projects including Britten's Noah's Fludde and a Children's music education week. During the past few years he has played many of the monthly concerts of the Great Organ Works series which he founded at Rochester including the complete organ works of J.S. Bach in 2005.
His concerts in many parts of the world have included the organ symphonies of Vierne and all the Organ Works of Durufle. He accompanies many choirs including the world famous Tenebrae at the Harrogate International Festival. The Midas Touch Organ Duo is another of his many additional musical activities and one which is hoped will promote the organ to a younger audience as they pilot educational concerts.
On top of his busy schedule he finds time to examine for the Associated Board, adjudicates for the British Federation of Music Festivals, and is accompanist to the London Symphony Chorus.
He has just recorded the third CD in his Classic Selection series and later this year he will give concerts in Italy, Germany, Russia and Switzerland.