He subsequently continued his studies at Trinity College, London, before gaining further experience in Paris under André Isoir and Jean Langlais.
In 1980, he succeeded Noel Rawsthorne and, in doing so, became the youngest cathedral organist in the United Kingdom at that time.
[1] In 2008, he relinquished the position of Master of the Choristers at Liverpool Cathedral to take up the role of Cathedral Organist (formerly known as Organist Titulaire); a role that gives him overall responsibility for the organs and recitals there, whilst affording him time for teaching, recording, writing and lecturing.
Since 2011, he has been Tonal Director for Makin Organs & Copeman Hart & Company Ltd. Ian Tracey is in demand as an organ recitalist in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States, and has made a number of recordings, both solo and with orchestra.
In July 2006, he was admitted to the degree of Doctor of Music (honoris causa) in the University of Liverpool.