Dr. Camilla Jarnot is St. David’s Director
of Music. She holds a DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) from Boston University, and BA and MA degrees in Music from London University, England.
In the Annual Report, Mother Karin Mitchell wrote, “I am especially pleased to have Camilla
Jarnot as a partner in our worship planning. Camilla and I have enjoyed working together on
[all] our services. The choir has been an amazing addition to our Sunday worship.”
She hopes to build up a children’s choir and to expand the music library, so that it contains
accessible, quality works which can be used by St. David’s for each and
every season. She writes,
“ I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to bring significant benefits to the musical life
of St. David’s.”
Having started, at the age of twelve, as a church organist in Southampton, England, Camilla has
had considerable years of experience as an organist and choir director. She has a broad
knowledge in the fields of church music and organ repertoire --
particularly those of the Anglican
tradition. Her Doctoral thesis, “The Life and Works of T. Tertius Noble” examines and
catalogues the achievements of one of the most important twentieth-century figures in Episcopal
church music.
Before moving to the U.S.A., Camilla gained indispensable experience serving as Organist and
Music Director of the Windsor Team Ministry in England, and performing in prominent London
area churches. In 1995 she moved to Boston, and the following year became Boston University’s
Associate Organist, working under the direction of Julian Wachner. She also taught organ in
Boston University’s Organ Department. During her time in Boston, Camilla achieved an
excellent reputation as an accomplished performer on weekly WBUR broadcasts, and as a
recitalist, including at the Methuen Memorial Hall in their International Recital Series.
In 2000 Camilla was elected to the national music honor society, Pi Kappa Lambda. The same
year, she became the first recipient of the Margaret Power Biggs Research Grant which was
given by the Organ Library of the American Guild of Organists at Boston University.
Camilla’s organ teachers have included Max Miller, Margaret Phillips, Andrew Lumsden, and
Jeremy Filsell. She has participated in masterclasses given by Peter Hurford and the late pianist
John Ogdon. She credits her love of choral music and choir directing to her professor and mentor
at London University, Dr. Lionel Pike.
Camilla lives in Plainsboro with her husband, daughter, and four cats. Her interests other than
music include gardening and interior decorating.
Helen Cushman July, 2007
