Colin Nicholls, organist of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral from 1981-2007, has been announced as Cork Person of the Month for December in recognition of over forty years of service to Cork’s musical landscape and his significant philanthropic involvement with the Rotary Club of Cork across two decades.
The Cork Person of the Year awards scheme writes:
Colin moved to Cork from London in 1981 and is most well known for serving as organist and master of the choristers at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral for over 26 years. In this role he was widely regarded for his immense knowledge and understanding of the Anglican tradition. His role included composing musical pieces, maintaining a high standard of choral music, repairing organs, recruiting choir members and organising special ceremonies such as the legendary Christmas service of Nine Lessons and Carols, which has become a mainstay of Cork’s festive calendar.
Colin currently serves as conductor of the 60-singer strong East Cork Choral Society, a choir for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass that performs in venues right across the country. He recently conducted the choral society as it performed Handel’s Messiah in St Peter and Paul’s Church on November 30th, and is currently preparing the choir for a rendition of Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius which is set to be performed at the opening concert of the 2025 Cork International Choral Festival.
He also acts as director of the College of Clerks Choral in Youghal, an ancient institution originally established in 1464.
Acutely aware of the importance of fostering the next generation of musical talent in Cork, he has in the past served as official accompanist for the annual Feis Maitiú competition in string and woodwind, a music and drama Festival held at Father Mathew Hall in the centre of Cork City.
His musical contributions also extend to academia. A graduate of Trinity College of Music in London, he went on to lecture in organ studies at the Cork School of Music and in harmony at UCC. In acknowledgement of his immense services to music he received an honorary MA from the National University of Ireland.
Outside of music, Colin has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Cork for over 20 years and served as its President in both 2010 and 2012. He is most proud of the ten years he spent running the club’s Friendship Night for Seniors and organising its Youth Leadership Development Competition, an initiative that rewards young people with clear leadership potential based on their extra-curricular activities.
On awarding Colin with December’s Cork Person of the Month Award, Awards Organiser Manus O’Callaghan expressed his admiration for Colin’s decades of commitment to Cork culture and community across the decades.
“Colin has left an indelible mark on Cork’s musical landscape across the last four decades. His commitment to his craft is second to none, and through this he has built a significant cultural legacy. Furthermore, his involvement with the Rotary Club of Cork is a credit to his selfless and altruistic character. I’m delighted to honour him with this Cork Person of the Month Award to recognise the exemplary service he has provided to our city and county.”
Colin’s name will now go forward alongside the other monthly winners for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year at the annual Gala Awards Lunch in January, 2025.
Both, Colin and his wife Angela, are still heavily involved in church music in Cork, Cloyne and Ross, acting as organists in Bandon Union of Parishes and Moviddy Union of Parishes.
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