John Keys (organist)
Encyclopedia
John Keys is a well-known British organist who was brought up and educated in Chester
. On completion of his schooling, he was assistant organist at Chester Cathedral
for 3 years, before becoming an organ scholar at New College, Oxford
. There he was taught by Gillian Weir
and Nicholas Danby. After graduating, he studied for 3 years at Geneva Conservatoire with Lionel Rogg
, and won the 1er Prix de Virtuosité and the Prix Barblan. He was also Organist of Eglise St Jean and then Holy Trinity Church.
Having been appointed Director of Music at St. Mary's Church, Nottingham
, in 1984, in the same year John won First Prize at the 4th Manchester International Organ Competition
. He is also Nottingham University organist.
He gives many solo organ recitals each year in Britain and abroad, and also works as an accompanist and continuo player, as well as teaching the organ.
John Keys has recorded one of the world’s largest collections of organ hymn accompaniments.
He is an Honorary Fellow of the Guild of Church Musicians.
Chester
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the...
. On completion of his schooling, he was assistant organist at Chester Cathedral
Chester Cathedral
Chester Cathedral is the mother church of the Church of England Diocese of Chester, and is located in the city of Chester, Cheshire, England. The cathedral, formerly St Werburgh's abbey church of a Benedictine monastery, is dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary...
for 3 years, before becoming an organ scholar at New College, Oxford
New College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
. There he was taught by Gillian Weir
Gillian Weir
Dame Gillian Constance Weir DBE is a New Zealand organist.-Biography:Gillian Weir was a co-winner of the Auckland Star Piano Competition at 19, playing Mozart. A year later she won a scholarship of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in London...
and Nicholas Danby. After graduating, he studied for 3 years at Geneva Conservatoire with Lionel Rogg
Lionel Rogg
Lionel Rogg is a Swiss organist, composer and teacher of musical theory. Among many other distinctions, he has recorded the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach three times....
, and won the 1er Prix de Virtuosité and the Prix Barblan. He was also Organist of Eglise St Jean and then Holy Trinity Church.
Having been appointed Director of Music at St. Mary's Church, Nottingham
St. Mary's Church, Nottingham
The Church of St Mary the Virgin is the oldest religious foundation in the City of Nottingham, England, the largest church after the Roman Catholic Cathedral and the largest mediæval building in Nottingham....
, in 1984, in the same year John won First Prize at the 4th Manchester International Organ Competition
Manchester International Organ Competition
The Manchester International Organ Competition was part of the biennial Manchester Festival. The Organ Competition ran from 1978 until 1986.-1978 - First competition:...
. He is also Nottingham University organist.
He gives many solo organ recitals each year in Britain and abroad, and also works as an accompanist and continuo player, as well as teaching the organ.
John Keys has recorded one of the world’s largest collections of organ hymn accompaniments.
He is an Honorary Fellow of the Guild of Church Musicians.