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Canon James Garrard

Precentor

Canon Garrard's responsibilities with Chapter are as Head of the Music and Worship department, taking part in and organising the services which take place in the Cathedral every day and is the link with all the groups outside the Cathedral who come for special services – for example, like the annual Animal service, the Regimental association, a service for those who have lost a child and so on.

He works with the Director of Music and other musical colleagues to support the work of the Boy and Girl choristers and the adult lower voices who sing at the services. He liaises with the volunteer servers, lesson readers and those who lead prayers and with his colleagues in the vergers’ department. His traditional job title of Precentor derives from the Latin word for ‘the one who sings the prayers first’ as the choir responds.

01353 667735 | james.garrard@elycathedral.org