Stephen (b. 1977) grew up immersed in parish church music, starting as a chorister in London before his family moved to Lee-on-the-Solent in Hampshire when he was eight.  It was here that his love of music was nurtured and he began taking piano and then organ lessons.  For two years prior to university he held the organ scholarship at St Faith’s Church, Lee-on-the-Solent.

In 1995 Stephen left Hampshire to read Music at Canterbury Christ Church College (now Canterbury Christ Church University), beginning a relationship with the City and University that continues to this day.  While an undergraduate at Christ Church, Stephen studied organ with David Flood, Master of the Choristers at Canterbury Cathedral, and composition with Edward Cowie and Paul Max Edlin.  During his second year he directed the Chapel Choir, singing services in Canterbury Cathedral and Tewkesbury Abbey, and recording for BBC Radio 4.  Whilst in his final year, Stephen was appointed Organist and Choirmaster of St Stephen’s Church, Canterbury, and began to slowly build up the choir and quality of music.

Following graduation, Stephen studied for a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and qualified as a secondary teacher of Music.  His first appointment was at Gravesend Grammar School for Girls, before being appointed Head of Music at The Harvey Grammar School in 2006.

Stephen has always had an affection for the Royal School of Church Music and between 1999 and 2011 was Education and Training Officer for the Canterbury Area.  This included putting together the Choir Festival held in the Cathedral each year, and for the 2004 Festival he was asked to compose a setting of the Eucharist to be sung by the combined choirs.  This can be found to download on this website.  Whilst having stood down from this post in 2011, Stephen continues to work closely with the area committee as an advisor and examiner.

Whilst teaching full-time, Stephen returned to Canterbury Christ Church University to do a Masters in Music, specialising in Church Music and studied with Christopher Gower, previously Organist and master of the Choristers at Peterborough and Portsmouth Cathedrals.

To be completed…!