Ware Episcopal Church, Gloucester, has named Charles Humphries as Director of the Music Ministry for the parish. He will be installed during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service on Nov. 26 and will offer an inaugural concert later that day at the church, beginning at 4 o’clock.

According to Beth Richardson, director of Christian Education for Ware, Humphries will be the parish organist, direct the children’s and adult choirs, and will oversee all aspects of musical programming at Ware including special choral services, concerts and music education.

Humphries, born in England, has studied music since the age of seven, when he was a chorister at Salisbury Cathedral. According to Richardson, Humphries continued his education at one of the top public schools in that country and won a scholarship to study voice at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

He has worked in various opera houses, concert halls and recital venues, collaborating with some of the world’s leading conductors and orchestras, she added. He has also recorded for many mainstream labels with a discography reaching around 50 recordings.

In 2009, he moved to the United States, where he continued freelance work. Prior to being appointed at Ware, he served as interim director of music at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Richmond.

“The Anglican tradition, to which the Episcopal Church belongs, has a very proud and rich musical heritage,” said Grant Ambrose, Ware’s rector. “Charles is of the tradition and brings a wealth of knowledge and a contagious passion for our great Anglican musical tradition and heritage … I’m very pleased to have Charles with us as he understands our deepest traditions and will work to translate those for our generation and generations to come.”

“Coming to Ware is a calling that was meant to happen,” Humphries said. “Through the application process, interviews and meetings, it became clear to me that music had in the past played a huge part in the Ware parish, but somehow over the years, the opportunities and choral program had dwindled and really deserved an opportunity to be rekindled. With the support and courage of Reverend Ambrose, I believe the ‘phoenix will rise from the ashes.’”

Humphries said he is especially excited about recruiting young singers for the treble choir, as well as parish members for the sanctuary choir.