Rachel Mahon
Introducing Rachel Mahon
Can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and how you came to be working in Coventry?
I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada and moved to the UK after finishing my undergraduate degree to work as Organ Scholar at Truro Cathedral. Positions at St Paul’s Cathedral in London and Chester Cathedral followed that and I came to Coventry Cathedral in 2018 as Assistant Director of Music. Aside from music, I love ballet and enjoy socialising!
It sounds as if you were born to be a musician. How did you come to the organ?
My parents are both singers and conduct choirs and my siblings and I grew up singing in church choir and learning piano. It was a natural progression to the organ and I’ve been playing since I was 14 years old. There were lots of opportunities for young organists which really led me to this career.
You recently put out an album of organ music by Canadian composers. Do you think we might find the choir singing some Canadian choral music?
Absolutely! I don’t know when, but I’m certain that some Canadian repertoire will creep in at some point. In fact, I have put down O Lord, our Governor by the famous Toronto composer (and British ex-pat) Healey Willan for the summer concert this year.
The programme for the next year is already in place. Is there something on your bucket list that you would like to conduct if the opportunity rises?
St Matthew Passion is definitely one. It’s my favourite work and I’d love to have the chance to direct it. Bach is also my favourite composer which, as I’m an organist, isn’t really a surprise I suppose….
What are you most looking forward to in working with CCC?
Getting to make music with a whole new group of singers is very exciting to me. Also the repertoire will be very different from what I do day-to-day in the Cathedral, so that’ll be interesting.
Finally, if you were not a musician, what career do you think you would be following?
Property investor, carpenter or surgeon. Or ballet dancer.
