Musical Distinction

By Linda Butler of Christ Church Cathedral Grafton & Written by Claire Aman

It’s the sound of long-time Organist and Director of Music, Robert Eather. Normally invisible at his seat behind the organ, Robert has recently gained international recognition for his musical work. He has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Guild of Church Musicians. This is high recognition, one that makes us all proud of Robert and grateful for the music he brings.

The Fellowship is awarded to people who have made an exceptional contribution to church music, going above and beyond the expectations of their position. According to Reverend Daniel Dries, Warden of the Guild in Australia, Robert’s extraordinary dedication and commitment to the music programme at Christ Church Cathedral is no longer commonplace in regional Australian cathedrals and churches. The Fellowship recognises the boundless time and energy Robert has devoted to church music. The impeccable organ music, the well-rehearsed choir, the hymn selections: these create moments of great beauty in the Cathedral for people at any stage of a journey. In addition to being a regular treat for the congregation at the twice-weekly services, the music supports all the people who venture in for christenings, weddings or funerals. It’s a bridge, filling a space above the ineffable. Robert makes it so.

And he may not be aware that in this climate of music he creates, people who think they can’t sing, sing.

As well as creating music for church services and directing the Cathedral Choir, Robert spreads musical appreciation wide. He featured in a free concert series playing organ, harpsichord, flute, cello and piano. He performs an annual Jacaranda recital. He plays the organ for civic services held in the Cathedral, gives organ demonstrations to school students, and accompanies HSC Music students on organ, piano and harpsichord for their exams. He has given workshops in liturgical and church music throughout the Diocese. He’s also an arranger and composer of music for both organ and choir. In 2001 he was commissioned to compose an anthem, I Will Open My Mouth in Parables for organ and choir for the International Festival of Philosophy, Science and Theology. His Fanfare Australia for organ was composed for and performed by Robert at the International Science Festival, at a concert in St Magnus Cathedral, Orkney UK along with a performance of I Will Open My Mouth in Parables. In 2007 he recorded a CD of organ music in the Cathedral.

As well as creating music for church services & directing the Cathedral Choir, Robert spreads musical appreciation wide.

Originally from the Hunter Valley, Robert was 10 years old when he began playing the organ in St Luke’s Church, South Singleton. He went on to study organ with Phillip Matthias (former organist of Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle) and harpsichord with Paul Dyer (currently director of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra) and the late Anthony Jennings at the Newcastle University Conservatorium of Music. Robert also played flute and was keyboardist with the Maitland City Orchestra, performing on harpsichord and organ. He played organ with the Hunter Symphony Orchestra and Chorus for their performances of the Gloria in D by Vivaldi and the Requiem by Andrew Lloyd-Webber.

He's been Organist and Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton, since 1999, (becoming in 2017, the longest serving Organist of Grafton Cathedral) while serving as music teacher at Clarence Valley Anglican School.

Based in the United Kingdom, the Guild of Church Musicians is an international fellowship of amateur and professional musicians unified in a common ideal ¬ to offer the best in music to the service of the church. The Guild seeks to raise the standard of church music, acknowledging that all aspects of worship should be the best that we are capable of offering to God.

Founded in 1888 by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Guild today has the current Most Revd. and Rt. Hon. the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury and His Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster as patrons. The President is Dame Mary Archer, with a number of Vice Presidents in both the UK and Australia, including Bishop