Winchester Cathedral appoints Katherine Dienes-Williams as new director of music

Katherine Dienes-Williams joins from Guildford Cathedral, where she has served as Organist and Master of the Choristers since January 2008. Her appointment marks a return to Winchester, where she was Organ Scholar in the early 1990s and later Assistant Organist at Winchester College. She brings to the role a distinguished career in cathedral music and choral training. Dienes-Williams was the first woman elected to the Cathedral Organists’ Association and, on her appointment to Guildford, became the first woman to hold such a post in the Church of England. She is currently Chair of the Royal College of Organists. Speaking about her appointment, Dienes-Williams said that Winchester Cathedral is ideally positioned at the heart of its historic city to embody the best of the Anglican musical tradition. She added that the Cathedral’s commitment to its Choral Foundation and its ambitions for the future stand to enrich the musical, educational, and spiritual life of its diverse community. Although expressing sadness at leaving Guildford Cathedral, she said she was delighted to be bringing her experience to Winchester and committed to building on the Cathedral’s musical legacy, developing its future, and offering music in worship dedicated to the glory of God. The Interim Dean of Winchester, Canon Roland Riem, said the recruitment process had been successful and thanked David Hill, Stephen Darlington and Andrew Lucas for their involvement, noting that Lucas had held the musical fort capably since September 2024. Dean Designate Canon Christopher Palmer said he was delighted that Dienes-Williams had accepted the post, describing her musicality, experience and skill in training choirs as a significant asset to the Cathedral’s worship and community life. Born and educated in Wellington, New Zealand, Dienes-Williams studied Modern Languages and Music at Victoria University, Wellington. After early appointments at Wellington Cathedral, she moved to England in 1991 to become Organ Scholar at Winchester Cathedral, later holding posts in Liverpool, Norwich and Warwick before her long tenure at Guildford. She will take up her post on 1 September and will join the Senior Executive Team of the Cathedral.