The King’s College community has been left saddened and in shock by the death of a gifted young organist, whose body was found in the River Cam on Sunday (7 June).
Harrison Cole, 25, assisting organist at the University of Cambridge college, was described as “a gentle genius and a wonderful person” as a wave of tributes was paid to him.
Harrison Cole, assisting organist at King’s College, Cambridge. Picture: Leon Hargreaves/Choir of King’s College Cambridge
His playing was heard by millions as he twice accompanied the King’s College Choir for A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, the famous Christmas Eve service broadcast around the world by the BBC.
A Cambridgeshire police spokesperson told the Cambridge Independent: “We were called to the River Cam at about 9.15am on Sunday with reports of the body of a man in the river near to King’s College. The death is not being treated as suspicious and has been passed to the coroner.”
Paying tribute to him, King’s College said: “We are deeply saddened to share the news of the death of Harrison Cole, assisting organist at King’s College.
“Harrison Cole was a music scholar at Ipswich School, and during his school years he spent three years as a student at the junior department of the Royal Academy of Music. Following a gap year organ scholarship at Wells Cathedral he came up to Trinity College, Cambridge as organ scholar in 2019. Upon graduation he spent a year as assistant organist at Gonville and Caius College before taking up his position at King’s in September 2024.
“During his time at King’s he accompanied the choir on recordings, broadcasts and concert tours, including two A Festivals of Nine Lessons and Carols services, and tours to Australia, Estonia, the USA and Canada.
“Harrison was due to leave King’s this summer, and had recently been appointed to assistantships at St Paul’s, Knightsbridge and St Michael’s, Cornhill: two significant musical establishments in London from which he was poised to develop a freelance career as pianist, organist and conductor.”
Provost Gillian Tett said: “The entire college community has felt this loss keenly, particularly the choir and chapel teams. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this sad time.”
Many tributes have been paid following news of Harrison’s death.
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College Chapel. Picture: Keith Heppell
Wayne Marshall OBE, a renowned conductor, organist and pianist fellow of the Royal College of Music, described his death as “shocking and unbelievable”.
“I saw him just one week before,” he said. “He was a gentle genius and a wonderful person. So humble, and such a gifted player. I feel very privileged to have known him.
We shall miss him. My deepest condolences to his family.”
Claire Weston wrote: “When an 11-year-old boy comes to you and says ‘Miss, can I chat to you about the Wesendonck Lieder’ you know you’ve got someone on your hands who is serious about music. Harrison was serious, passionate, invigorated, curious and enquiring about all that is music.
“Meeting Harrison, his twin and his parents all those years ago was a gift that has stayed and continues to be a prevalent part of my life through music and friendship until the current day. Harrison left a gossamer layer of his personality and talent on all that he met and worked with. Such a tragic and devastating loss of life. He will be remembered with such respect and love.”
Charlotte Evans wrote: “Harrison was above us all with his talent but at Ipswich School he made time to accompany pupils starting out on their music-learning journey and was a friend to all. He still came back to play for us despite his busy and high-profile opportunities elsewhere.”
David Briggs, a concert organist and composer, who studied music at King’s, said: “You’ll always live on in our hearts, Harrison. Thank you for your sheer brilliance, but even more than that, for being such a kind human being. In truth I learned much more from you than the other way round. Rest in peace, my dear friend, and deepest condolences to your family.”
A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “One ambulance, a paramedic car and East Anglian Air Ambulance were sent to Queens Road Cambridge on Sunday morning following reports of a person in the river. Fire and rescue colleagues assisted in bringing a man ashore, but sadly, despite the best efforts of all involved, the patient had died at the scene.”