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The English-born Australian choral conductor and organist, Ross Cobb, he studied organ, harpsichord, and conducting at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama (1996-1999). He then went as an undergraduate to the Royal Academy of Music in London, becoming the first holder of the Sir George Thalben-Ball Memorial Organ Scholarship. He also served as Assistant Organist at St. Michael’s Cornhill. He continued his education at King's College London, University of London, where he was Senior Organ Scholar to David Trendell in the College Chapel for 4 years. His teachers included renowned figures such as Anne Marsden-Thomas, David Titterington, Nicolas Danby, David Hill, Harrison Oxley, Naji Hakim and Arthur Wills.
While still in England, Ross Cobb was also on the music team at two of the UK's largest churches-. First, he served as Organist & Director of Music at St Barnabas Church, as well as contemporary worship leader in first church plant in Kensington, London (September 1993-August 1998), including Organist, choir director and contemporary worship leader in Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB)'s first church plant. Then he was Director of Music at Christ Church Clifton in Bristol (September 1998-November 2005), including Director of the worship division of one of the largest Anglican churches in the UK, Headed team of four full-time staff and 150 musicians, Head of Creative Arts and ran the Clifton Arts Festival for several years.
As an organist Ross Cobb has also given solo recitals in most of the significant cathedrals and churches in the UK and Australia, including iconic venues such Notre Dame de Paris, The Royal Albert Hall, St Paul's Cathedral in London, the major Australian cathedrals and Sydney Town Hall.
Ross Cobb took up the invitation to move to Australia in 2005 to assume the position of Organist & Director of Music at St Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney (since November 2005). He is responsible for the huge range of music across the Cathedral- Choirs, Orchestra, Cathedral Brass and their contemporary bands; overseeing the development of traditional and modern music at all gatherings. He has directed the music at all significant services, state funerals and celebrations, as well as several visits from royalty including her late majesty Queen Elizabeth II. At St. Andrew's, he has made an indelible mark, directing the Cathedral Choir in numerous premieres, international tours, and major performances such as George Frideric Handel's Messiah and J.S. Bach's cantatas. He has led music for landmark events and collaborated on diverse projects, from Purcell’s King Arthur to Liam Gallagher’s album and the Foxtel series Lambs of God. He has instigated the liturgical performance of J.S. Bach's cantatas with orchestra into the Sunday services. In 2019-2020 he directed the Cathedral Choir in a major European tour to celebrate their bicentenary.
Ross Cobb currently serves as both the Chairman of the NSW Branch of the Royal School of Church Music, as well as the President of RSCM Australia, regularly organising festivals and workshops. He was the leader of the SydneyinSpires Festival in 2019, Australia's biggest-ever festival of sacred music.
Recognised globally for his contributions to church music, Ross Cobb was honoured 2017 by the Archbishop of Canterbury for 'outstanding service to Church Music in Australia and internationally', and in 2020 was also presented with an international award by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) for recognition of his work in 'promoting the highest musical standards: enhancing Christian worship across Australia by education and example'. He teaches the organ at St Andrew's Cathedral School and privately to adults, with several of his students having achieved outstanding success in diplomas and organ competitions. He is passionate about the role of music in reaching all with the good news of Jesus. He is married to Georgie and they have three young sons. |
