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The Dean & Chapter are delighted to announce the appointment of Rachel Kilby as the first Music Animateur here at the Cathedral. An animateur is a musician whose role is to engage audiences, bringing music to life beyond what might be expected in a traditional performance. An important part of this new role will be developing new musical opportunities at the Cathedral for children from across the Diocese. Alongside the recruitment, administration and development of a new group at the Cathedral for children aged 7-11, it is intended that this includes planning and delivery of weekly music sessions in participating schools. Rachel will work with the new Music Foundation at the Cathedral in developing these opportunities.
Rachel is a very experienced music educator who has taught music for over 30 years in schools in Birmingham and London, where she was latterly Head of Performing Arts in a large comprehensive and later took the post of Head of the Music Service in Rhondda Cynon Taf, a position she held for ten years. She is also an experienced adjudicator in local competitions and eisteddfodau, including for the Hong Kong Schools’ Music Festival in 2016 and 2023. Rachel graduated with a B.Mus. Hons. from the University of Sheffield, before gaining her Post Graduate Certificate in Education from Bath Spa University. She later completed an M.A in music education at University College London, Institute of Education as well as taking post-graduate performance studies on the oboe with Irene Pragnell at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has represented Wales at the Music Education Council and at Music Mark, as well contributing to consultations on music education for the Welsh Government.
Since 2014, Rachel has worked on a freelance basis, lecturing in teaching in the jazz department at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, teaching the oboe and piano, examining internationally for Trinity College, London and working in an advisory capacity on music education in Wales also for Trinity College, London. Rachel is Musical Director for The City Sirens, an all-female a cappella choir in Cardiff, as well as playing the oboe for orchestras in South and West Wales. In 2020, Rachel co-authored a paper on Welsh Music Education for the international publication The Journal for Popular Music Education. She recently managed a pan-Wales project on Jazz- Archwilwyr Jazz Explorers Wales, funded by the Arts Council of Wales. Rachel is a member of St. Margaret’s Church in Roath and Cathays L.M.A, where she is an L.M.A council member.
Rachel says:
“I am delighted to have been appointed as Music Animateur at the Cathedral. Bringing the joy of music to children is a great privilege and I am excited to be part of developing opportunities and experiences for children in schools across the diocese- in Cardiff and beyond.”
Stephen Moore, Director of Music, is looking forward to Rachel’s arrival:
“The role of Music Animateur is an exciting development for the music department and for the Cathedral as a whole. Rachel brings with her a wealth of experience of working in music education with a brilliant track record of inspiring children. I am sure she will further develop the opportunities for young musicians here at the Cathedral.”
