Malcolm Archer
Quick Facts
Biography
Malcolm Archer (born 1952) is an English organist, conductor and composer. He combines this work with a recital career. Archer was formerly Organist and Director of Music at St Paul's Cathedral, and is now Director of Chapel Music at Winchester College.
Early career and education
Archer was educated at King Edward VII and Queen Mary School, Lytham before studying at the Royal College of Music (as an RCO scholar). He was later organ scholar at Jesus College, Cambridge. His organ teachers include Ralph Downes, Gillian Weir, and Nicolas Kynaston and he studied composition with Herbert Sumsion and Alan Ridout.
Appointments
Malcolm Archer's first posts were at Bristol Cathedral and Norwich Cathedral.
Wells Cathedral
Archer was appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers at Wells Cathedral in 1996 where he directed and trained the Cathedral choir for its daily services in the Cathedral, as well as being the Musical Director for Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society. In April, 2000 he and choir members participated in a North American Tour which included concerts in Ottawa, Ontario; Albany, New York; Richmond, Virginia; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Washington, DC; Lancaster, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; St. Paul, Minnesota; Chattanooga, Tennessee and Augusta, Georgia. He has made several recordings with the choir to critical acclaim.
St Paul's Cathedral
Archer took over as organist and Director of Music at St Paul's from John Scott in 2004.
Winchester College
In August 2007 he took up a new position as Director of Chapel Music and Organist at Winchester College, where he is in charge of the Winchester College Chapel Choir as well as teaching the organ.
Compositions
Archer has over 200 published compositions.