Professor Ian Tracey

Our Tonal Director Professor Ian Tracey DL has a life-long association with Liverpool Cathedral and its music. Together with his two illustrious predecessors, Henry Goss-Custard and Noel Rawsthorne, he continues the tradition of an almost Apostolic Succession.

He initially studied organ with Lewis Rust and then with Noel Rawsthorne. Studies at Trinity College, London, culminated in Fellowship, after which scholarship grants enabled him to study with Andre Isoir and Jean Langlais in Paris and conducting with Vernon (Tod) Handley.

On his appointment as Organist of Liverpool Cathedral in 1980, he was the youngest cathedral organist in Britain. He was appointed to the additional role of Master of the Choristers two years later, but after 27 years of service, reverted to his former role, allowing him freedom to devote more time to playing, lecturing, recording and writing.

Ian’s other posts include: Organist to the City of Liverpool; Organist at St George’s Hall; Organist to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society and Professor, Fellow, and Organist at Liverpool John Moores University.

In addition to that from his Alma Mater, he holds Fellowships from many prestigious musical institutions, including the Royal College of Organists, Royal School of Church Music, Guild of Church Musicians, Guild of Musicians & Singers and Liverpool John Moores University.

In 1994, he was awarded the North West Arts Award for Classical Music and in 2006 The University of Liverpool conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Music, in recognition of his long and distinguished service to music in Liverpool and of his national and international reputation as a musician.

He is a past President of the Incorporated Association of Organists of Great Britain and in 2015 was commissioned as a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Merseyside.