WORLD-famous pianist, organist and conductor Wayne Marshall OBE will be celebrating his honorary doctorate at Coventry University by treating fellow graduates to a special performance at a venue close to his heart.
Wayne will be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Arts tomorrow (Tuesday, March 19) to recognise his outstanding services to music and musical performance.
As well as receiving the honour, Wayne will play a 20-minute programme as the students enter the ceremony at Coventry Cathedral.
The Cathedral was also where Wayne recorded his first commercial solo organ CD for EMI in 1989.
Wayne began piano studies at age three at went on to appear on BBC Proms.
He will play pieces by J.S. Bach – his famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor, and Franz Schmidt.
The Prince of Denmark’s March will be played for the student’s entrance and the Final from Symphonie no 1 by Louis Vierne will be played at the end of the ceremony.
Wayne said: “I haven’t been back to Coventry Cathedral since recording the CD.
“It’s wonderful to receive this award but it’s also the perfect opportunity to do what I do best and to let everybody hear me perform.
“It is a great honour and wonderfully fitting because of my connections to the cathedral, a privilege to be recognised in that respect.”
