MUSICIANS

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

JON PAYNE studied Music at the University of Surrey, specialising in composition and conducting. He was appointed Director of the renowned Wenhaston Boys' Choir in Suffolk, and worked for Aldeburgh Festival. From 1999 to 2001, he was Organ Scholar at Norwich Cathedral, following which he joined Norfolk Music Education Service as choral animateur, where he directed the County Youth Choir. He subsequently took on a similar role in the Borough of Solihull, on behalf of the British Federation of Young Choirs. 

He presently works as Regional Music Adviser (Central and Eastern England) for the Royal School of Church Music; as Director of the Stratford & Coventry Armonico Consort Academy Choirs; as an Associate Lecturer at Christ Church University, Canterbury; and as a busy freelance conductor/composer/accompanist/recitalist, in addition to his work at St Thomas' Church. Well known nationally for the quality of his work with young people, he has led over 100 youth choir and singing projects, as well as project management roles for the Throckmorton Literary Festival and Birmingham's Youth Music Action Zone.

In his spare time, Jon enjoys sailing, cycling, fund-raising for the RNLI (as a former lifeboat crew member), and sampling real ales!

ASSISTANT ORGANIST

The post of Assistant Organist is currently vacant. For details about the job and how to apply, see the vacancies page.  

ORGAN SCHOLAR

St Thomas' Church recognises the importance of training the organists and choir directors of the future. The Organ Scholarship, instituted some years ago, is funded by the Friends of St Thomas' Church Music. Past organ scholars include:

2010-2011: James Luxton - now Sub-Assistant Organist at Worcester Cathedral
2008-2010: Joseph Waggott - studying organ at Birmingham Conservatoire
2003-2008: Peter Holder - now Organ Scholar at Westminster Abbey
2002-2003: Kevin Blumer
2001-2002: Michael Higgins
2000-2001: Francesca Massey - now Sub-Organist at Durham Cathedral
1999-2000: Chris Totney - now Assistant Director of Music and Organist at Dauntsey's School, Wiltshire, and recent winner of the King James Bible Composition Competition
1997-1998: Peter Warman

The present holder of the scholarship is OLIVER PARRY, a loyal member of St Thomas' Choir who has sung first as a treble, and latterly as a bass. He is presently studying at Old Swinford Hospital School, Stourbridge. Ollie is also the choir's librarian.

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