John Scott (organist)

For the other similarly named English organist, see John Scott Whiteley

For other people named John Scott, see John Scott (disambiguation).

John Gavin Scott LVO (born 18 June 1956) is an English-born 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 1974-78 he was Organ Scholar at St John's College, Cambridge, assisting Dr 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 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.

He also compiled chants and psalm texts to make the St. Paul Cathedral Psalter.

External links

• Record company biography
• Saint Thomas Choir School website
• Saint Thomas Church website
• Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists biography

Preceded by Christopher Hugh Dearnley	Organist and Director of Music, St Paul's Cathedral 1990–2004	Succeeded by Malcolm Archer
Preceded by Gerre Hancock	Organist and Director of Music, Saint Thomas Church, New York City 2004–	Succeeded by incumbent