The Revd Pete Gunstone, Assistant Curate at Fountains Church Bradford BMO, has been appointed as Interim Precentor at Bradford Cathedral to take effect from 19th September 2022. This interim appointment will run alongside Pete’s current role at Fountains Church.
Revd Pete says:
“Having sung as a volunteer Bass Lay Clerk in the cathedral choir on weekdays for the past three years, I am excited to be taking on the role of part-time Interim Precentor from September 19th alongside continuing as part-time Assistant Curate at Fountains Church Bradford.
“I am especially looking forward to getting to know the cathedral community, to ministering with you all to this unique city, and to providing opportunities for our musicians to explore and deepen faith in Jesus Christ.
“My background is musical. I’ve worked as a freelance classical and church musician in a variety of places. I’m somewhat unusual in that I am at home as a musician with both choral and contemporary styles of worship. The highlight of my musical ministry to date was directing music at the Lambeth Conference 2022, a rich inter-cultural space in which we explored the diversity of musical worship across the Anglican Communion.
“I’m married to Kirsten, we have a dog, are enjoying getting to know Bradford, and are often found walking in Scotland. Please do come and say hello!”
Welcome to Bradford Cathedral. We look forward to meeting you.
Welcome. Beautiful service last night.
Thank you for joining us, and for your kind words.
Today I decided to ‘search for you’ on-line. How glad I am to have learned where you are now! I’m so thankful that our paths crossed when you were at Lee Abbey. This year an exhibition is to be staged in St.Mary the Virgin, Lynton. I’ve been asked to supply information on the organ. Preparing that information has made me think about you and all you did to help the organ restoration.
Thank you for your message – we’ve passed this onto Revd Pete.
Wonderful appointment, having known Pete as a fellow musician when I was a professional singer until June 2022. Sang for him when a conductor in the 1990s in Macclesfield, sent by my singing agent from London, to be his soprano soloist in a very fine performance of Elgar’s The Kingdom. Like him, I adore classical music well done but as a former HTB parishioner in London from 1998 to 2012 where all forms of Anglicanism were there, and music of all sorts done under one roof. Catholics also so welcome including the papal preacher, Raniero Cantalamessa, I grew to like worship music as well – if well done and not just classical versus worship! Welcome Pete!