Pews news: Hampton Court director retires

Message received:

HM Chapel Royal 

Hampton Court Palace 

Carl Jackson MVO has announced his retirement as Director of Music of His Majesty’s  Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace at the end of August 2025. 

Carl has been Director of Music at Hampton Court since September 1996 and in that time  has been an integral part of the Chapel Staff team, and under his leadership and careful  nurture the musical life of the Chapel Royal has gone from strength to strength. 

Carl’s association with the Chapel Royal goes back even further, with him having served as  Junior Organ Scholar from September 1976 to July 1977, Organ Scholar from September  1977 to July 1978 and Sub-Organist from May 1990 to March 1993. 

Carl Jackson said on the announcement his retirement: 

“It has been a privilege to have served as Director of Music at the Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace  for almost 29 years. I have been most fortunate to have worked with four immensely supportive Chaplains  and to have made music to the glory of God during this time with choristers, Gentlemen, Assistant  Directors and organ scholars in a building of great splendour. I have also valued the unstinting assistance  of Vestry colleagues in sustaining our work. 

Having retired from teaching six years ago, this is an opportune moment to pass on the choir to someone  who will guide it through the next exciting phase of its work and ambitions, and it will allow me to  devote time to my forthcoming responsibilities with the Musicians’ Company – as well as my work with a  number of other music and charitable organisations. I wish my successor well.” 

The Chaplain of Hampton Court, The Reverend Canon Dr Simon Bloxam-Rose said of  Carl: 

“HM Chapel Royal, and Hampton Court in particular, have been fortunate enough to have had the  most extraordinary person, man and boy, serving Church and Crown. Not only is Carl the most  accomplished musical director I have known, but in four years of my knowing him, has become an advisor  and friend. This humble man who is known both nationally and internationally, master of the  understatement, and universally respected and admired, will be missed far more than he is capable of  imagining. I have particularly loved gently teasing him, suggesting something, and receiving his reply, ‘it is  of its era’. Carl will always belong here and is a part of us.” 

We intend to advertise shortly for a successor to Carl. We ask for the prayers of the  whole community as we discern the future for this vital appointment.