John Scott

John Scott was a leading English concert and church organist, effectively managing a parallel career as a choral conductor. He was also prolific in the recording studio. His choice of repertory divulged a bias for the larger works from the late-Romantic period and from the 20th century. In 1978 he graduated from St. Johns, Cambridge, and accepted a pair of assistant organ posts at London's Southwark and St. Paul's cathedrals. In 1985 he departed Southwark, but remained at St. Paul's, where he was elevated to director of music and organist in 1990. He led the choir in many acclaimed concerts and recordings. In 2004, he became music director and organist at New York's St. Thomas Church, where he felt freer to perform more nontraditional works. Scott remained active internationally as an organ soloist and also did some composing, writing an anthem for Queen Elizabeth's golden jubilee. ~ Robert Cummings