The Praecentor

The modern musical tradition in the College had its roots in the late nineteenth century trend for introducing music into church services. Music was re-introduced into College chapel services in 1866, following a movement among a group of undergraduates to form a College musical society and Chapel choir. As a result a choir, organ and hymnbooks were acquired, choral services were introduced, and the College established scholarships to support choir members and organists.

Charles Wood, who entered the College as an organ scholar in 1889, was one of the founders of the Scales Club, and composer of the College song, Carmen Caianum. He was elected to a fellowship in 1894, and became Professor of Music, 1924-6. The College Fellow in Music, Patrick Arthur Sheldon Hadley (elected 1934), was given the title of Precentor in 1946, the same year as his election to a professorial chair in the University. Upon his retirement, a new Director of College Music, Peter Andrew Tranchell, was appointed in 1960, with the title of Precentor being added in 1962. He was succeeded as Precentor, Director of College Music and Director of Studies in Music by Geoffrey Andrew Webber in 1989. The Precentor takes responsibility for the organisation of the College choir, the general direction of musical activities in the College, and the academic teaching and supervision of students in music.