Dear Cathedral Family,
In January, I wrote to you with the news that Bob Simpson would be retiring from his position as Canon for Music at the end of July. At that same time, I named a Search Committee to assist me in identifying an exceptionally talented church musician to lead our music ministry into the future. Together, we have been working diligently to review applications that streamed in from all over the country, and beyond.
Today, I am delighted to share with you that Joseph Causby has accepted a call to lead Christ Church Cathedral’s Music Ministry as Director of Music and Organist. Joe is an accomplished organist and choirmaster, with a true heart for music as a pastoral ministry. For the last eight years, Joe has served as Director of Music at the Chapel of the Cross Episcopal Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Prior to that, Joe served in the same role at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio. He began his vocation as a church musician in the Episcopal/Anglican tradition right here in Houston at Trinity Episcopal Church in Midtown. In that sense, Joe’s arrival at Christ Church will be a homecoming for him and his husband, Bob Brewer, who is an accomplished church musician himself.
A native North Carolinian, Joe first came to Houston to pursue graduate level studies at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. He then went on to receive a doctoral degree in Musicology from the University of Durham in the United Kingdom (UK). While there, he became the first (and only) American to serve as an Organ Scholar at Durham Cathedral.
Joe has already made significant contributions to ensuring that the Anglican/Episcopal musical tradition carries well into the future. He is a past President of the Royal School of Church Music in America, an organization that trains Anglican church musicians of all ages since its inception in the UK in 1927. In recognition of his ministry, Joe was made a fellow of the Royal School of Church Music by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 2023.
Joe’s technical capability as a musician is truly impressive, as are his credentials and accolades. Beyond that, the Search Committee and I have been inspired by Joe’s passion for music as a ministry that brings about spiritual healing and carries the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the world. In every church where he has served, Joe’s ministry has contributed to congregational growth. I have confidence that his ministry here will be a key part of our next chapter of vital ministry in the heart of Downtown Houston.
Joe will begin his tenure as Director of Music and Organist at our Cathedral on July 1st. This will allow for nearly two weeks of overlap with Bob Simpson before his last Sunday at the Cathedral on July 12th. Bob will complete his tenure as Canon for Music on Sunday, July 26th at the American Cathedral in Paris at the end of the choir’s planned tour that will begin in London, England.
Valentina Huang will continue in her role as an organist supporting our music ministry while continuing her doctoral studies at Rice University under Ken Cowan, who served as a consultant to our search process.
Please keep Joe and his husband Bob in your prayers in the weeks ahead as they prepare to come back home to Houston. I ask that you also keep the people of Chapel of the Cross in your prayers. Our excitement at Joe’s arrival is matched by their sadness at losing a minister and friend.
More information will be forthcoming regarding both the celebration of Bob Simpson’s extraordinary tenure as well as the beginning of Joe’s ministry to our beloved Cathedral.
Sincerely,
The Very Rev. Nathaniel Katz
Dean