Hailing from Exeter in the South West, Jack Oades is an organist, composer, conductor and tenor. Jack learned the piano and violin from a young age, but his career in sacred music began in 2010; upon visiting St Giles’ Cathedral and seeing the resplendent Rieger organ, he vowed to take up the instrument himself, aged 16. He read music at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and studied a master’s in Composition at Trinity College, Dublin.

He commenced his appointment as Organist and Master of the Music at St Giles’ Cathedral in January 2025. Previously, Jack has held posts in Cambridge, the Isle of Man, London and Dublin. Most recently, he was Organist and Assistant Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral from 2018-2022, and following that, Tenor Lay Vicar with the choir of Exeter Cathedral until December 2024. Jack is in demand as a recitalist and accompanist, frequently performing all over the British Isles. He studied the organ with William Whitehead and James McVinnie, and choral conducting with Patrick Russill. Jack is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists.

As a composer, his works are published by the RSCM, Two Bridges Music and the Chichester Music Press, and his music is performed all over the world, including a number of broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 & 4. He was the winner of several composition prizes, and has been the recipient of many large scale commissions, including from the JAM on the Marsh Festival, Choir & Organ magazine, and the Whitgift Foundation. Alongside his prolific choral and organ writing, Jack has also written chamber, orchestral, and solo works, including two works for symphony orchestra and chorus. More recently, he has branched out into digital and ambient music, including scores and sound design for film and video games.

Jack also enjoys an active freelance career, holding the position of Artistic Director of the Edinburgh University Chamber Choir, and frequently sings with various groups in Edinburgh, including the choir of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral. He is a keen surfer, plays bass with his university funk band, and loves to read everything from crime novels to Alexander McCall Smith.

Jordan English began his musical training as a chorister at Carlisle Cathedral. During his time he took part in live radio broadcasts, tours and was involved in several CD recordings.

Jordan began organ lessons under the tutelage of John Robinson, the then Assistant Organist, continuing with Edward Taylor. After spending three years as Organ Scholar at Carlisle Cathedral, Jordan began undergraduate studies in 2011 at the Royal Northern College of Music where his tutors included Jeffrey Makinson, Simon Lindley and Thomas Trotter. Whilst at the RNCM, he took part in Masterclasses by Gordon Stewart, Jacques van Oortmerssen and Kevin Bowyer, played continuo for various RNCM events.

In September of 2016 Jordan began postgraduate studies at the Royal College of Music in London, studying organ interpretation and improvisation with Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin and David Graham with lessons in London and Paris, specialising in the music of Marcel Dupré and Jehan Alain.

Jordan is currently Assistant Organist at St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, accompanying the Cathedral choir for all services, recordings, broadcasts and tours.

Michael Harris recently retired as Master of the Music. If you would like to get in touch with him, please email info@stgilescathedral.org.uk