John Keys

Who is John Keys?

John Keys, MA LRAM ARCM ARCO Hon. FGCM, is a British and international 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 the 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 he won First Prize at the 4th Manchester International Organ Competition. He is also Nottingham University organist.

John gives many recitals every year in Britain and abroad, and has played in France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Gibraltar, the Ukraine, Switzerland and Australia. He has appeared as organist, accompanist, continuo player and conductor on Radio Suisse Romande, Télévision de La Suisse Romande, Netherlands Radio, Radio France and for the BBC.