Martin Neary

This article is about Martin Neary. For Martin Narey, see Martin Narey.

Martin Neary LVO (born 28 March 1940, London) is an English organist and choral conductor. He was Organist and Director of Music at Winchester Cathedral from 1972 to 1988, and Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey from 1988 to 1998.^[1] Martin Neary, read theology and music at Cambridge University.^[2]

As the organist at Westminster Abbey, he was the musical director of the funeral service for Diana, Princess of Wales, for which he was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in the New Year Honours List in 1998.^[3]

He has been particularly active in the promotion of the music of John Tavener, whose "Song for Athene" was performed by the choir of the Abbey as Diana's coffin was borne out by the pallbearers.^[4]

On 22 April 1998, The Dean of Westminster Abbey, the Very Rev Dr Wesley Carr, dismissed Dr Neary from his position at Westminster Abbey on the grounds of gross misconduct. Dr Neary petitioned Her Majesty The Queen, as Visitor of the Abbey, to resolve the dispute. The Queen appointed Lord Jauncey of Tullichettle to be her Commissioner, and he determined that the summary dismissal was justified. The report also stated that Dr Neary’s well recognised musical abilities, and the hard work which he and Mrs Neary had done on behalf of the Abbey and the choir, were not in question.^[5]

References

1. ^ Cathedral Music Links website
2. ^ Martin Neary Directs, Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys, Inc
3. ^ London Gazette Issue 54993, 30 Dec 1997
4. ^ Order of Service for the Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, bbc.co.uk [1]
5. ^ ‘Determination Of Lord Jauncey Of Tullichettle Acting as a Special Commissioner Appointed by Her Majesty The Queen as Visitor to Westminster Abbey and as Arbitrator’, 9 Dec 1998 [2]

Cultural offices
Preceded by Simon Preston	Organist and Master of the Choristers of Westminster Abbey 1988–1998	Succeeded by James O'Donnell

Persondata
Name	Neary, Martin
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	28 March 1940
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death