An interview with North Yorkshire Music Therapy Centre Patron Philip Moore

The North Yorkshire Music Therapy Centre is pleased to announce that celebrated organist and composer, Philip Moore, will be joining the charity as its newest patron.

At the North Yorkshire Music Therapy Centre, we are dedicated to promoting mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing through music therapy. We offer individual and group music therapy sessions, workshops, and events across North Yorkshire, with a particular focus on enhancing personal growth and encouraging self-expression. Our services are available in a variety of settings, including community spaces, clinical environments, and our dedicated Music Therapy Centre at The Byre, Hovingham. We also provide online resources to support teachers, parents, and carers.

Our mission is to bring the healing power of music to people of all ages, fostering a safe, supportive space for people to experience the therapeutic benefits of music, no matter their background or circumstances.

About Philip Moore

Philip Moore is widely recognized as one of the leading figures in the English choral tradition. He was assistant music master and organist at Eton College before taking on the role of assistant organist at Canterbury Cathedral in 1968. In 1974, he was appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers at Guildford Cathedral, and in 1983, he succeeded Francis Jackson as Organist and Master of the Music at York Minster, a post he held until his retirement in 2008.
During his distinguished career, Moore oversaw significant changes, including the introduction of girl choristers into the previously all-male choir at York Minster in 1997. He was also the conductor of the York Musical Society for 27 years. Following his retirement, Moore continued his work as Organist Emeritus of York Minster and served as organist at St Michael’s Church, Barton-le-Street. He has also been a visiting artist and associate organist at Christ Church, Greenwich, in Connecticut, USA.

Moore has received numerous accolades, including the Order of St William by the Archbishop of York and an honorary doctorate from the University of York. In 2016, he was awarded the Cranmer Award for Worship by the Archbishop of Canterbury in recognition of his contribution to the English choral tradition.

Philip Moore’s Quote

Upon becoming a patron of the North Yorkshire Music Therapy Centre, Philip Moore shared, “I’ve known about the North Yorkshire Music Therapy Centre for a long time, I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to put back something that I’ve been given. It’s the most wonderful organisation and needs to be better known and the more people that know about us the more people will be helped. Music is a healing art – it’s the small things as well as the big things for which music is so powerful. The good that The North Yorkshire Music Therapy Centre does, is immeasurable.”

We are thrilled to welcome Philip Moore as our patron and look forward to working with him to raise awareness of the vital work we do within the community. With his extensive experience in music, we are confident that his support will help bring our message to a wider audience and provide even greater benefit to those we serve.

Phillip came to visit us at The North Yorkshire Music Therapy Centre and chatted with our director of therapy Laura.

If you would like to know more about music therapy and the services we offer, please get in touch.