A WOMAN who began playing the organ in her parish church as a child has made history by becoming the first female organist at Durham Cathedral.

Francesca Massey, 28, who has been appointed suborganist, said: “I am enjoying it immensely here.

“It is a fantastic city and a stunning cathedral and it is a real honour to be working here.”

Ms Massey’s appointment comes two years after the cathedral broke with tradition by admitting girl choristers into its choir.

She said: “There are many woman organists at village and parish church level – perhaps more so than males. But it has taken a while to filter through to the cathedral level. There are quite a few of us in a number of cathedrals now.”

Ms Massey, who brings a wealth of experience, both as an organist and a choir trainer, said she started playing the organ when she was 12 in her local parish church in Halesowen, in the West Midlands.

She said: “Being a pianist before that and a chorister in church choir, I just wanted to give it a go really. I was inspired by all the sounds the organ can make and the fact that you can be a whole orchestra by yourself.

“The organ at Durham Cathedral is considered to be one of the finest in the country and it is such a pleasure to be able to play it on a daily basis.”

Ms Massey, who will be officially admitted on Sunday, has held organ scholarships at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where for a term she was acting director, and Manchester Cathedral.

She has been assistant organist at Great St Mary’s Church, Cambridge, and most recently was assistant director of music at Peterborough Cathedral.

Sunday also sees the admittance of boy choristers Carlson White and Joseph Hay, as well as Robin Crinson, a new lay clerk who joins his fellow professional singers in the men’s voices.

Mr Crinson is originally from the North-East and returns as a seasoned cathedral musician, having been a choral scholar at Lichfield Cathedral and a lay clerk at Birmingham Cathedral.

New girl choristers Flora Halford-MacLeod, Rebecca Dover, Carly Jackson, and Daisy Bradshaw are being admitted to the choir at Matins on Sunday, October 2.