| Biography | John Gavin Scott LVO (born 18 June 1956) is an English organist and choirmaster. He directed the Choir of St. Paul's Cathedral in London from 1990 to 2004. He now directs the Choir of Men and Boys of Saint Thomas Church on 53rd Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City. He also pursues a career as an international concert organist.
Born in Wakefield, Yorkshire, he began his musical career as a chorister at Wakefield Cathedral. It was also there that he first learned to play the organ. From 1974 to 1978 he was Organ Scholar at St John's College, Cambridge, assisting George Guest. In 1978 he won the Manchester International Organ Competition. Subsequently, he was appointed as Assistant Organist at both St Paul's Cathedral and Southwark Cathedral. After 1985, he concentrated solely on St Paul's which eventually led to his appointment as Organist and Director of Music in 1990, in succession to Christopher Dearnley.
He has recorded several CDs for labels that include Hyperion Records, Priory Records, Decca Records, Nimbus Records, Sony and Chandos Records. He also compiled chants and psalm texts to make the St. Paul Cathedral Psalter.
He was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in the New Year Honours List 2004, in recognition of his work at St Paul's Cathedral. |