His father was the organist of the local Anglican church, and Cordner was a competent player by age seven, and sang in the choir.
In 1857 he was appointed organist[3] and choirmaster to St Mary's Cathedral, again effecting considerable improvements, notably re-introducing female choristers and on occasion supplementing the organ with an orchestra.
[5] He conducted the choir for the new St Mary's Cathedral foundation stone laying ceremony in December 1868, Mrs Cordner being the leading soloist.
[7] Cordner was also a successful teacher: his pupils include John A. Delany and Thomas P. Banks, both of whom would later preside at the cathedral organ.
the Duke of Edinburgh from the late attempt upon his life" to words by Derwent Coleridge, published and first performed in March 1868, now lost.