We are delighted to announce the appointment of Charles Maxtone-Smith as Organist of Buckfast Abbey, in succession to David Davies who leaves us on Christmas Day.
Charles is a graduate of New College, Oxford, where he was Organ Scholar, and the Royal Academy of Music, where he completed his post-graduate studies whilst holding the organ scholarship at Westminster Abbey. He was a semi-finalist at the St Albans International Organ Competition earlier this year, and won the 2023 Musicians’ Company Award for Organists.
Commenting on the appointment, Matthew Searles, Master of the Music, said: “Charles demonstrated his considerable skill as a keyboard player, alongside a passion for making music within the Catholic liturgy and for supporting the Monastic Community in their daily life of prayer. We are all very much looking forward to welcoming Charles to the Abbey when he joins us in January.”
Charles Maxtone-Smith said: “I am delighted to be appointed Organist at Buckfast Abbey, and hugely look forward to taking part in the Abbey’s musical and liturgical life. It’s an honour to be welcomed into the warmth of the Monastic Community and its music department, and I greatly look forward to working with Matthew, Robert, and the superb musical team.”
