Salisbury Cathedral Announces 2026 Organ Series Featuring Max Carsley, Maurits Bunt and David Hill

Salisbury Cathedral has announced a four‑evening organ series for 2026, scheduled to run from early July through September. The programme will showcase a mix of classical repertoire, film music and popular songs, and will be played on the cathedral’s historic Father Willis organ and the new 2025 Klop Chamber Organ.

The first concert will take place on Saturday, 4 July, with Max Carsley, the assistant organist at St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, and former organ scholar at Salisbury. Carsley will present a varied programme that includes Karg‑Elert’s The Sun’s Evensong, 7 Pastels from the Lake of Constance. Carsley’s appointment to the assistant organist post at St Mary’s began in January 2026, and his previous experience at Salisbury Cathedral gives him a strong connection to the venue.

The series will also feature the Organ Prom, a relaxed, informal evening that encourages visitors to wander the cathedral, enjoy a drink and listen to a mix of music. The Organ Prom will return on Saturday, 8 August. According to the cathedral’s website, a public vote will allow audiences to choose the pieces performed that evening.

The third concert is scheduled for Saturday, 19 September, and will be performed by Dutch organist Maurits Bunt. Bunt will play selections spanning the Renaissance to the Romantic period on both the Father Willis organ and the Klop Chamber Organ. The Klop organ, built by Henk & Niels Klop and installed in 2025, provides a sound closer to the instruments of the Renaissance and Baroque eras, while the Father Willis organ, installed in 1877, offers a Romantic‑style tone.

The series will conclude with a performance by internationally renowned conductor and organist David Hill. Hill, who has served as master of music at Winchester Cathedral and is currently conductor of the BBC Singers, will bring his experience to the final evening. The exact date of Hill’s concert has not yet been published.

Tickets for all four concerts are available through the cathedral’s online ticketing system. The series is part of Salisbury Cathedral’s broader cultural programme, which includes daily worship and a range of music events.

The Father Willis organ, described as one of the cathedral’s greatest treasures, has been in use for over 140 years and is celebrated for its exceptional sound quality. The addition of the Klop Chamber Organ expands the range of repertoire that can be performed in the cathedral’s acoustically rich space.

The 2026 Organ Series demonstrates Salisbury Cathedral’s commitment to making organ music accessible to a wide audience. By offering a mix of traditional and contemporary pieces, encouraging audience participation, and featuring both historic and modern instruments, the series aims to attract visitors of all ages and musical backgrounds.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visitors can visit the cathedral’s official website.