John Dunford, Organ Recital

John Dunford began his musical training as a treble in Birmingham Parish Church Choir. It was here that the 4 manual Compton organ inspired him to take, firstly, piano lessons and then organ lessons. He trained at Trinity College of Music London, studying organ, singing, piano, harpsichord and conducting. He won the Choral Conducting prize and became Senior Student of the college.

John has held appointments as Director of Music in four independent schools over 37 years, 23 spent at Ashville College, Harrogate. He retired from full-time teaching in 2017 but continues as a peripatetic singing and piano teacher at Cundall Manor School. This has enabled him to give organ recitals, aided by the purchase of a 3 manual Viscount organ for his home at Raskelf.

John is the longest serving conductor of Ripon and Wetherby Choral Societies, with many acclaimed performances and is in demand for running choral workshops and ‘come and sing’ events. He is also a professional tenor, baritone and countertenor soloist performing in the Yorkshire area.

As a professional organist he has performed at some 17 Cathedrals in England and on the Continent, fulfilling an ambition by playing for a service at York Minster ten years ago. He has held a number of posts as organist including Director of Music at Sheffield Cathedral, and has accompanied services for the BBC World Service whilst appearing several times for both BBC and ITV for televised services.