Harrison Cole MA, FRCO (2000–2026)

The College is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Harrison Cole.

Born and educated in Suffolk, Harrison was Assisting Organist for the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, where he was responsible for accompanying the choir for the daily office, assisting with the training of the choristers, playing for recordings, tours and broadcasts, including the annual Nine Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve, broadcast to millions across the world. He was previously Assistant Organist at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, and before that an organ scholar and student at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was organist for several of the choir’s recent recordings. Harrison was also an active pianist, frequently accompanying instrumentalists and singers, a continuo player and conductor, and he was engaged in a number of projects in Cambridge and further afield. He was poised to take up important posts in London after the summer.

Harrison joined the College in 2017 and was awarded Associateship in Winter 2024. He was awarded Fellowship in Summer 2025, receiving the Limpus Prize and other examination prizes, including the Coventry Cathedral Recital Award 2025–2026. Harrison was invited to give the vote of thanks at the conclusion of this year’s Conferment ceremony at Southwark Cathedral. In this he reflected on his journey:

‘It is quite amusing for me to be up here because, just as C. S. Lewis considered himself to be “the most reluctant convert in England”, I myself had harboured similarly strong resolutions against doing these examinations – which, I think, makes it more convincing when I speak now, on the other side of things, of their extremely high value and utility. In an age of hyperspecilization, the broad, rigorous and detailed programme of study required here, represents a kind of education not often found elsewhere, and I believe it helps to produce what might be called “complete musicians” – those who have a strong command over several different musical skills. Therefore, I hope us conferees may be able to carry this spirit of musical excellence onwards in our professional lives, and I encourage everyone beginning or part-way through their study to keep discovering and learning, and enjoy the process, too!’

Harrison’s untimely death has shaken us all, and we send our sincere condolences to his family and friends.