• 26 September 2014

Honour for long–serving Belfast Cathedral organist

Belfast Cathedral organist Ian Barber is to be made an Associate of the Royal School of Church Music in recognition of his 30+ years at the organ in St Anne’s.

Ian will be further honoured on Sunday September 28 when the Cathedral’s new chamber organ will be dedicated and named The Barber Organ.

Accompanied by his wife Jean and the Dean of Belfast, the Very Revd John Mann, Ian will be presented with his honorary ARSCM at a service in Hereford Cathedral on October 4.

It is a fitting recognition for a quiet man who has devoted his adult life to church music. Son of a Church of Ireland clergyman, Ian grew up in Holywood and attended Campbell College before winning a scholarship to the Royal School of Church Music. When he graduated he was also made a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists with a choirmaster’s diploma.

Ian moved to Canada where he played the organ in a number of churches and obtained a Degree in Theology and Clergy Training from Bishops’ University in Quebec. Returning to Northern Ireland, Ian was organist and choirmaster at St Columb’s Cathedral in Londonderry and later in Ballywalter Parish.

He also taught at Victoria College and was Head of Music for 21 years at Strathearn School.

In 1983, Ian was appointed assistant organist at St Anne’s, a post he held until 2010 when he was recognised as organist and choirmaster. With the appointment of David Stevens as Master of the Choristers in April 2012 Ian resumed his role of organist.

He said the new ‘professional’ approach to music in the Cathedral will ensure established Cathedral music traditions do not disappear in Belfast. “Music has such an important role in any church service, but especially in a Cathedral,” Ian said.

Ian has no intention of taking his foot off the (organ) pedal. “As long as I can do it properly I will continue to play the organ in St Anne’s,” he said. “It is fabulous to play. It is large, very versatile and makes a lovely sound, which is helped by the great acoustics in the Cathedral.”

Ian paid tribute to his wife. “Jean has been a fantastic support. She has turned the pages for me all these years, and still comes to turn pages for me every Sunday,” he said.

He said he was honoured to be made an Associate of the Royal School of Church Music and touched that the new chamber organ will be dedicated The Barber Organ.

The Dean of Belfast said Ian’s contribution to the musical life of St Anne’s had been considerable.  

“He has a feel for the instrument he plays week by week and for how it sounds in the Cathedral,” Dean Mann said. “I am always confident that Ian will play to suit the occasion and the music the choir is singing. In my three years as Dean, I cannot think of a single service that he has not achieved this essential balance. Long may he continue to play the Cathedral organ for us!”