Jacob Collins BMusc(Hons) ARCO ARSM is currently completing an MLitt in Sacred Music, holding a Campbell Waterson Scholarship at St Salvator’s Chapel alongside singing in the Renaissance Choir. His research interests include the use of song within J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings, the history and development of last verse hymn arrangements and the universality of harmony. At St Andrews he has studied the history and theology of Sacred Music, as well as practical elements such as choral and orchestral conducting and composition, in which he was fortunate to receive tutoring from renowned composer, Sir James MacMillan.
He graduated from City University of London in 2019 with a 1st Class Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree. He also holds the Associate Diploma from the Royal College of Organists and an Associate Diploma of the Royal Schools of Music (Singing). At university he studied with internationally renowned organist Catherine Ennis and held a university performance scholarship, a Worshipful Company of Cordwainers Scholarship and won the Performance Prize in his final year for the highest mark attained at finals recitals. He has also studied with Daniel Moult, Claire Innes-Hopkins, Tom Wilkinson and Henry Fairs.
Jacob has had the opportunity to play some of the finest organs in the country, including Wells, Peterborough and St Pauls cathedrals, Alexandra Palace and St Georges Hanover Square, as well as having his compositions performed in venues such at St Pauls and Chichester Cathedrals. Recently, he toured in France, with St Salvator’s Chapel Choir, having the opportunity to play organs at Bourges Cathedral, the Basilique de Notre Dame in Thierenbach and the historic organ at Chaource among others. At Bourges he was fortunate to be able to play as part of the mass on Ascension Sunday to a congregation of several hundred.
We were delighted that Jacob was ‘home’ at just the right time to play for our monthly Organ Recital during StonyLive! week. Brought up in Stony Stratford and part of the Parish Family at SMSG, we were delighted to welcome him back and to hear a flavour of his repertoire recently played on his tour in France. Jacob ably showed off the organ in all its glory, using its dynamic and tonal qualities to the fore, seemingly ‘pulling out all the stops’ on occasions! The recital certainly had a ‘wow’ factor and we thank Jacob for fitting us into his very busy schedule and wish him well on the next stage of his impressive music journey.
05-06-2023
