Meet the Team

Chapel

Rev Dr Erica Longfellow, Dean of Divinity

Rev Dr Susan Bridge, Associate Chaplain

Dr Bradley Hoover, Chapel Administrator

Diego Ramírez Alcalde, Chapel Manager

See below for more details.

Choir

Robert Quinney, Organist

George Herbert, Assistant Organist

Jo Lavender, Choir Administrator

Bronwen Mills, Singing Teacher

See below for more details.

Rev Dr Erica Longfellow

Dean of Divinity. Erica leads the worship in chapel and co-ordinates daily services with the Associate Chaplain and the Organist. She is responsible for religious life in the wider college, and organises services to mark key points in the college year, discussion groups, talks and social events for students, staff and fellows. She also has a role at New College School. She is available to talk to any member of college about any issue, and only talks about religion with those who want to. Her research field is early modern English religious literature. Her published work includes vol. vii of the Oxford Edition of the Sermons of John Donne: Sermons Preached at Marriages, Christenings, and Churchings (2025, co-edited with Peter McCullough) and Women and Religious Writing in Early Modern England (CUP, 2004). She is working on a new project on the history of interiority and the self.

Rev Dr Susan Bridge

Associate Chaplain. Susan leads worship services in chapel and assists with chapel activities and events. Both our chaplains are experienced in pastoral listening and support in secular and religious contexts. They are available to any member of College, and they won't talk about religion unless you do. Susan's research focusses on the use of metaphor in Christian doctrine.

Dr Bradley Hoover

As Chapel Administrator, Bradley manages the chapel diary and works closely with the Dean of Divinity and Organist to co-ordinate chapel services. He also manages weddings and other events, and is responsible for booking groups coming to chapel services. Please direct enquiries to chapel.admin@new.ox.ac.uk.

Diego Ramírez Alcalde 

As Chapel Manager, Diego prepares the chapel for services and events, and manages visitors and chapel security. Contact Diego to reserve seats at a chapel service or if you have access needs.

Robert Quinney

Fellow and Tutor in Music & Organist (Director of the Choir). He is responsible, along with his fellow music tutors, for academic music in the college, his research focusing especially on the music of J.S. Bach. As well as conducting the choir on a daily basis, he is an internationally acclaimed organist. He directs the daily choral services in chapel and conducts the choir in recordings and concerts. He is always happy to talk to potential applicants in music or singers interested in applying for a choral scholarship. For all matters relating to the choir, please contact the Choir Administrator. 

George Herbert

As Assistant Organist, George accompanies services, assists in training the choristers, and directs the choir in the Organist's absence. George was a chorister at Manchester Cathedra, and spent four years at St John’s College, Cambridge, first as an organ scholar studying Music and German, and latterly as Assistant Organist. George joins New College after a year in London, where he was one of the organists at Westminster Abbey and Assistant Director of Music for HM Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace, among other roles.

Jo Lavender

As Choir Administrator, Jo manages the choir diary and handles arrangements for recordings and tours. She is happy to answer questions about hearing the choir at a concert or on tour, or booking the choir for a future event. She can also provide information to prospective student singers (academical clerks) or parents of boys under 7 interested in choristerships.

Bronwen Mills

Choir Singing Teacher.  She teaches both chorister and academical clerks and advises the Organist on all aspects of the choir's vocal training. 

Organ scholars:  each year one or two undergraduate organ scholars work with the Organist and Assistant Organist in playing for all services and training the choristers.  They also play an active part in college music as accompanists at concerts, and as recitalists. This year the Senior Organ scholar is Marcus McDevitt, and the Junior Organ Scholar is Joe Hyam. 

Chapel Graduate Scholar: the Chapel Graduate Scholar co-ordinates the servers and assists the clergy and the verger in preparing for services. The current scholar is Eckhart Chan.  

Chapel Officers: each year the Dean of Divinity appoints up to three officers from amongst the students to help with chapel services and events, especially as servers, readers and ushers at major college events.  Anyone interested in this role is welcome to contact the Dean of Divinity. 

Christian Union and Catholic Reps: representatives of these two groups help co-ordinate discussion between the different Christian communities in college and organize special services.

Choir Wardrobe Manager: Caitlin Harrison alters, repairs and cleans the choir's robes. With growing choristers there is a lot of work for her to do!