- To access private assistance, contact Samaritans at 116 123, go to samaritans.org, or visit www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
- View more from Daily Mail on Google – add us as a Favorite Source
A celebrated young Cambridge University an organist who has performed at the renowned Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols ceremony, which is aired globally each year Christmas Eve passed away following what seems to be a drowning incident in the city.
Harrison Cole, aged 25, is thought to have slipped into the River Cam near King’s College Chapel — where the Christmas concert takes place — on Saturday.
Emergency responders rushed to the location the next day following a call about a corpse found in the water near a place called the Backs, where multiple colleges border the river.
He was removed from the shallow river, typically crowded with punt boats throughout the day, yet he was pronounced deceased on-site.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police stated: “We received a call at 9:20 am on Sunday regarding a body found in the River Cam, Cambridge.”
The man's death is not considered unusual, and the case has been referred to the coroner.
Harrison, an member of the Royal College of Organists, earned a Master's degree in Music from Trinity College, University of Cambridge, and received his diploma in 2023.
Before appearing at the 2025 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, he stated it was "a great joy and honor" to take part in this globally recognized event.
He had earlier enrolled at the tuition-charging Ipswich School as a sixth-form music student.
Former students of the old institution, known as Old Ipswichians, have included Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and H. Rider Haggard, the writer of "King Solomon's Mines."
Harrison additionally dedicated three years to the Royal Academy of Music's Junior Department, where he learned organ under Anne Marsden Thomas, who has served as Director of Music at St Giles Cripplegate Church in London since 1982, home to three pipe organs.
After taking a gap year with an organ scholarship at Wells Cathedral in Somerset, where he performed alongside the Cathedral Choir during daily Evensong, special ceremonies, and world premieres of new compositions, he began his studies at Trinity College Cambridge as an organ scholar in 2019.
After completing his studies, he worked for a year as an assistant organist at Gonville and Caius College prior to starting his role at King’s in September 2024.
While working there, he supported the choir during recordings, radio appearances, and performances, including two Festivals of Nine Lessons and Carols, as well as trips to Australia, Estonia, the United States, and Canada. He also performed at Westminster Abbey.
Harrison was scheduled to depart from King’s this summer and had just received appointments as assistants at St Paul’s Knightsbridge and St Michael’s Cornhill in London.
In a statement released by King's, it was mentioned that from these "two major music institutions," he was ready to pursue a freelance career as a pianist, organist, and conductor.
"The whole college community has experienced this sorrow deeply, especially the choir and chapel groups," said Provost Gillian Tett.
Our minds are with his family and those dear to him during this sorrowful period.
A digital profile from March mentioned that Harrison was working on "future initiatives in Slovenia and Singapore."
Apart from his passion for music, he was typically immersed in reading an excellent book, attending plays, and exploring art museums. His enthusiasm extended to studying philosophy and historical subjects as well.
While serving as Assistant Organist for King’s College choir, he was tasked with helping train the young singers, along with accompanying them during recordings, performances, and live transmissions.
A representative from King's College stated: "We were deeply saddened by the unfortunate passing of Harrison Cole."
He was an accomplished musician and a cherished part of our community, someone who will be greatly missed by numerous people.
We are striving to assist the students and faculty affected by this tragedy within our community.
We won't be making additional comments at this point in consideration of his family's private matters.
A representative from the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust stated: 'An ambulance, a paramedic vehicle, and the East Anglian Air Ambulance were dispatched to Queen's Road in Cambridge early on Sunday after reports of someone in the water.'
'Colleagues from Fire and Rescue helped bring a man back to shore, however, unfortunately, despite everyone's best attempts, the individual had passed away on site.'
The Christmas Eve ceremony known as A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols has been conducted at King's College Chapel since 1918.
It premiered in 1928 and is currently enjoyed by approximately 370 million listeners annually, as per BBC data – with numerous fans considering it the beginning of the holiday season.
* For private assistance, contact Samaritans at 116 123, go to samaritans.org, or visit www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
Read more
No comments:
Post a Comment