Anthony Pinel was born in Sutton Coldfield and graduated from Huddersfield. After a year as Organ Scholar of Birmingham Cathedral he was appointed Assistant Organist of Bristol Cathedral where he accompanied seven Choral Services each week in addition to making several recordings with the Cathedral Choir and undertaking tours of Germany and the USA. He also took part in many live broadcasts of Choral Evensong on Radio 3 and was conductor of Bristol Cathedral Chamber Choir.
After a period as Acting Organist and Master of the Choristers of Bristol Cathedral, Anthony moved to St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, described by Queen Elizabeth I as “the fairest and goodliest Parish Church”. Under his direction the choir produced two CDs, were involved in many broadcasts on local and national radio and television and made a trip to the USA in 2001. He was Assistant Director of City of Bristol Choir and taught the piano and organ at Clifton College and Colston’s Collegiate School.
After three years at St Peter’s Church, Morristown, New Jersey, USA (during which he gave recitals at The Riverside Church, New York, Princeton University Chapel and St Mary the Virgin, New York) Anthony returned to England as Organist and Master of the Choristers of Grimsby Parish Church, now Grimsby Minster, where he conducted the five choral services each week. He was Assistant Director of Music of Louth Choral Society and Grimsby Bach Choir.
In September 2014 he took up the position of Director of Music at St Chad’s, Shrewsbury. He is also Organist at Wrekin College where he teaches the piano and organ. He holds the Associate diplomas of The Royal College of Music and The Royal College of Organists.
How to get to Wistanstow Church
Drive down the A49 and take the right turn through Bushmoor to Wistanstow (this turning is 4.4 miles south of the Church Stretton traffic lights). Just before entering the village, turn right up to the Village Hall (signposted). Please note that due to a road closure, you won’t be able to access the village hall from the south, so please use the Bushmoor route.
What3words for Village Hall: ///crumble.irrigate.labels
There is a large car park at the hall and you can then walk down to the church: use the footpath that starts from the village hall entrance, turn right when you reach the road. Toilets are available by the village shop, which you pass.
