Shaun Turnball is the Assistant Director of Music at Blackburn Cathedral, a post he has held since 2012. Prior to this position, Shaun held a number of posts in the North-East concurrently including, Director of Chapel Music, St John’s College, Durham University; Director of Music, Ponteland Parish Church; together with the role of musical director of a number of secular choirs. Shaun also spent a period as a deputy Lay Clerk at Newcastle Cathedral, where he also deputised as accompanist during an interregnum. He performed a similar role on the organ for two terms at Hexham Abbey.
As an organist, Shaun has played for numerous high-profile services and broadcasts. Whilst a student in Birmingham, he played in master classes for a number of legends of the organ world including Thomas Trotter, Dame Gillian Weir, David Sanger, Wolfgang Zerer, David Goode, and Susan Landale. More regular study was with Professor David Saint, Canon Marcus Huxley, James Parsons, and Daniel Moult. More recently, Shaun has continued musical studies with Darius Battiwalla and Dr John Bertalot.
Shaun is a holder of both the Fellowship and Choral Directing Diplomas of the Royal College of Organists; in the latter, he was the John Brook Memorial Prize winner (for achieving the highest marks in the practical assessment).
Shaun has an active and regular relationship with the BBC- having broadcast on Choral Evensong, Songs of Praise, Sunday Half Hour and particularly Daily Service- the latter of which he has contributed to over 100 editions of the long-running programme.
Recent recital performances include Hexham Abbey, Marylebone Parish Church; St Chad’s, Shrewsbury; St Giles, Pontefract; along with the Cathedrals of Bangor, St Edmundsbury, and Bradford.