Keyboard Studies

Simon Harden

Lecturer in Organ

Tel: + 353 (01) 2205160

BA, ARIAM, Dipl. & KE (Hamburg HfMT)

Simon Harden’s primary degree was at Trinity College Dublin, where he read both Music and History of Art.

During this time, he served as organ scholar to the university and studied the organ with Peter Sweeney. On graduating, Simon decided to specialize in organ performance and moved to Germany where he undertook studies at the Music Academies in Berlin and Hamburg with Leo van Doeselaar, Wolfgang Zerer and Pieter van Dijk. This led to a first-class postgraduate degree in performance and later, on receiving a scholarship from the City of Hamburg, further studies culminated in a distinction for the ‘Konzertexamen’, the highest award for performance in Germany.

Keen to experience another European country and its culture, Simon spent time in Paris and was awarded a ‘Premier Prix’ from the Conservatoire at Saint-Maur while under the tutelage of Eric Lebrun. 

Simon has won several prizes in international competitions including 1st prize and audience prize at the ‘International Schnitger Organ Competition’ in the Netherlands and 2nd prize at the ‘Grand Prix Bach de Lausanne’.  He was also awarded the DAAD prize for ‘outstanding performance and intercultural involvement’ whilst in Hamburg.

He has served as a deputy organist at both Christ Church and St Patrick’s Cathedrals in Dublin and made regular appearances with the National Symphony Orchestra and RTÉ Concert Orchestra of Ireland. Simon has held full-time church positions while living in Germany and, parallel to this work, developed a busy international concert career.

In addition to his work as an organist, Simon has extensive experience as a choral conductor and has directed many choirs in both Ireland and Germany.

Simon has a wide-ranging knowledge of the organ repertoire and enjoys performing and teaching an eclectic mix of styles. Particular interests are in North-German Baroque, Spanish Baroque and nineteenth and twentieth century French repertoire.

In addition to his work as a lecturer, Simon is Organist and Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford.  He founded the Waterford International Organ Festival in 2021 and is Artistic Director of this annual event.

He is in regular demand as an adjudicator and juror at competitions. In 2025, he is a member of the jury for the St Albans International Organ Festival and also the Northern Ireland International Organ Competition. He has given masterclasses in the UK, Germany and Bulgaria.

Regular concert engagements take Simon throughout Europe and further afield. He has performed solo recitals in such venues as Notre-Dame Paris, La Sainte-Trinité Paris, Westminster Abbey London, Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall, St Jacobi Hamburg and the Martinikerk Groningen.

Solo CD recordings include performances on the Marcussen organ in Gettorf and the new Glatter-Götz organ in Bad Vilbel.

Simon’s research into new and historic organs has received publication in the international ‘Choir and Organ’ magazine.