John’s blog

I’m in New York, looking out over Central Park from my hotel room, wondering which of the thousand and one restaurants in the city to visit for lunch. For several years my favourite was Giambelli’s on East 50th Street, owned and run by Signor Giambelli, well up in his eighties when I first knew him,… Read more »

I am as confused as anyone else about how to get one’s music published.

Keep writing, keep trying – you may have to knock on many doors before one will open.

Today’s young composers could probably give me advice...

There were at least two roads I didn’t take that stand out in my memory...

How did the Cambridge Singers come along?

Find out how John came to be Director of Music at Clare College.

John talks about his time at high school and beyond.

In this blog, John tells us about his first musical memories.

The arts are resilient and do not disappear in wartime. If anything, they assume greater importance than in times of peace.

ChoirGuides helps singers learn their voice parts and make virtual recordings.

Reflections on a royal funeral from a musician’s-eye view.

Thoughts on 2020 and the year ahead.

Behind the scenes at the premiere of 'Joseph’s Carol’, dedicated to the Oxford vaccine team.

You don’t always fully appreciate a gift until it is taken away.

Extraordinary times, like nothing most of us have ever experienced.

Thoughts about composing music for Christian communities today.

It’s a sensible enough question, and one that every composer is asked – yet none of us has a good answer.

Does anyone know of anyone researching the benefits of chorister training?

I am immensely the richer for having been David's student, assistant, and friend.

So here you are - the answers to my 12 Christmas Quiz questions - some of them quite tricky!

Welcome to my 2019 Christmas Quiz! There will be a new question every day from 1-12 December.

A fond farewell to church music's only knight, an honour he so richly deserved. Nunc dimittis, Stephen.

The wheel of fashion needs a spin to rediscover music as the newest and brightest idea in education.

Thoughts on the anniversary of the death of Italian composer Francesco Durante (1684-1755).

John answers 10 questions he's asked most frequently.

Memories of singing Haydn’s The Creation for the first time.

Reflections on the approach of Elgar's birthday (2 June 1857).

I always feel a connection with Handel as I walk past his house in Brook Street.

The haunting beauty of Lili Boulanger's last work seems to speak of another world.

Here are my 10 music discoveries from the year.

How my career as an anthologist began.

The biggest project of my entire career is about to come to fruition.

A royal wedding, and we all wish the young couple well. But here’s a confession...

Music is a gift of nature, but it may well remain locked in a box until someone gives you the key to release it.

We shouldn’t have to use the term ‘classical’ almost like an apology.