Nigel Spooner
Nigel Spooner began learning the organ on the fantastic Father Willis instrument in Truro Cathedral. Lessons followed at Wells Cathedral and Bath Abbey, where he was a lay clerk in the Abbey Choir whilst studying Chemistry at the university. He gained his Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists halfway through his degree course and was a finalist in the St Albans International Competition soon after graduation.
Going into a chemistry schoolteaching career, he taught in schools in Rye, Bishop’s Stortford, Clitheroe and finally at Bolton School, where he was able to combine his Chemistry teaching with being school organist. After his time as Deputy Headteacher at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School (and Head of its enormous sixth form), he experienced a completely different chapter as a freelance musician – teaching, examining, performing and playing regularly for BBC Daily Service and with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
He is now safely retired, enjoying travel, cycling in this country and abroad and the chance to develop his playing still further through his Hauptwerk instrument at home. Being closely associated with Blackburn Cathedral, he relishes the access to its fabulous organ – another instrument of constant inspiration.
