Trinity College, Cambridge has announced that Steven Grahl will succeed Stephen Layton as Director of Music, starting in January.

Grahl is currently Organist (Director of Music) at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford as well as Conductor of Oxford University’s Schola Cantorum and Musical Director of Benson Choral Society.

Grahl said of his move: ‘I am honoured to take up the position of Director of Music at Trinity and will strive to sustain and develop the musical life of the College, in succession to my illustrious predecessors.

'Whilst this is a most exciting opportunity, I am sorry to leave Christ Church and excellent colleagues in the Cathedral, College, and Faculty of Music. I am looking forward to beginning my work with the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge in the new year.'

During his time at Christ Church, Grahl supported the addition of a girls’ choir, Frideswide Voices, to the College’s music programme, and championed new music by composers including Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Piers Connor Kennedy, and David Maw. Prior to Christ Church, he was Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral, where his achievements included a recording of Cheryl Frances Hoad's Even You Song on First Hand Records.

Trinity’s Master Dame Sally Davies described herself as ‘thrilled that Steven is coming to Trinity to work with our renowned choir and bring pleasure to all those who participate in the musical life of the College, whether that is regular Evensong in our great Chapel or popular events in the calendar such as Singing on the River and the Advent Carol Service.

'He is fortunate to build on the remarkable endeavours of our outgoing Director of Music, Stephen Layton, under whose inspirational leadership the choir excelled,’ she added.