The Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

There are two Organ Scholars who assist the Director of Music in the running of the Choir, attending the daily rehearsals for the Choristers at the School, and accompanying the services in Chapel. St John's boasts an impressive line of former Organ Scholars – see below and on our alumni page.

If you are interested in becoming an Organ Scholar and wish to find out more, please contact Andrew Nethsingha to arrange a meeting. Mr Nethsingha would be happy to meet and hear your playing at any time of year. Organ Trials are held in mid-September each year. Further information about Cambridge Organ Scholarships can be found on the University Organ Awards pages.

We are delighted that John Challenger (Organ Scholar 2008-2011) will be remaining at the College in the position of Assistant Organist for one academic year, after which we will return to having two Organ Scholars.

Mr John Challenger – Assistant Organist

John Challenger began his musical education as a Chorister at Hereford Cathedral and studied at Hereford Cathedral School where he obtained diplomas from Trinity College, London, and the Royal College of Organists. Subsequently he was appointed Organ Scholar of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, where he studied with Jeremy Filsell. He obtained his Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists in 2008. He arrived as an Organ Scholar at St John's in September 2008. In addition to his duties with the College Choir, he has directed the St John's Singers, the College's mixed-voice choir. As a recitalist he has performed across the UK, Europe and the USA. In August 2011, John will take up the post of Assistant Director of Music at Salisbury Cathedral.

Mr Freddie James – Organ Scholar

Freddie James began his musical education at Southwark Cathedral where he was a chorister for seven years. He was a music scholar at Westminster School during which time he was Organ Scholar at Croydon Parish Church. After leaving Westminster School he spent a year studying organ at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam with Jacques van Oortmerssen, and was Assistant Organist of the Nicolaaskerk, Amsterdam. His studies in Amsterdam were assisted by a Nicholas Danby Trust bursary. Freddie has given many recitals, including at the Hereford Three Choirs' Festival, at Westminster Abbey, at Southwark Cathedral, St Peter's Cathedral, Belfast, St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin and the Grote Laurenskerk, Rotterdam. He was also the soloist in the Saint Saens Organ Symphony and the Poulenc Organ Concerto in St John's Smith Square and Westminster Abbey respectively with his school orchestra.

Previous Organ Scholars

• 2007 Timothy Ravalde
• 2005 Léon Charles
• 2004 Paul Provost
• 2002 John Robinson
• 2000 Jonathan Vaughn
• 1999 Christopher Whitton
• 1997 Robert Houssart
• 1996 Iain Farrington
• 1994 Peter Davis
• 1993 Allan Walker
• 1991 James Martin
• 1990 Philip Scriven
• 1988 Alexander Martin
• 1987 Andrew Nethsingha
• 1985 Robert Huw Morgan
• 1984 Philip Kenyon

• 1983 James Cryer
• 1981 Andrew Lumsden
• 1980 Adrian Lucas
• 1978 Ian Shaw
• 1976 David Hill
• 1974 John Scott
• 1971 Jonathan Rennert
• 1967 Stephen Cleobury
• 1963 Jonathan Bielby
• 1960 Brian Runnett
• 1956 Peter White
• 1953 Alan Hemmings
• 1952 David Lumsden (Assistant Organist)
• 1951 James Bennett
• 1947 George Guest
• 1941 James Brown

The Organs

St John’s has two organs. The main organ was built by Mander and Sons in 1993. Although largely new, the instrument incorporates parts of the previous Hill organ and subsequent alterations, including the famous Trompetta Real, several Swell stops and much of the Pedal division. See the specification of the Mander organ here. There is more information on this organ on the St John's College website. In addition to the main organ, a three-stop transposing chamber organ for smaller scale repertoire was completed by Vincent Woodstock in 2010.