Christopher Gray, director of music
The Choir
The Choir of St. John’s College, Cambridge is one of the finest collegiate choirs in the world – known and loved by millions from its broadcasts, concert tours, and over 90 recordings. Founded in the 1670s, the Choir is known for its rich, warm, and distinctive sound, its expressive interpretations, and its ability to sing in a variety of styles. Alongside this discipline, the Choir is particularly proud of its happy, relaxed, and mutually supportive atmosphere. The Choir is currently directed by Christopher Gray, following in a long line of eminent Directors of Music, including Dr. George Guest, Dr. Christopher Robinson, Dr. David Hill, and Andrew Nethsingha.
The Choir is made up of around 20 Choristers and Probationers from St. John's College school and around 15 Choral Scholars who are members of St. John's College. Its primary purpose is to enhance the liturgy and worship and daily services in the College Chapel.
The Choir is known for its consistent high standards of singing each day in Chapel and brings the “St. John's Sound” to listeners around the world each week through its weekly webcasts and SJC Live, its webcast archive service. The Choir also maintains a busy schedule of concerts and events. The Choir tours internationally several times per year, with recent destinations including the U.S., the Far East, and the Netherlands. Additionally, there are some special services held through the year, including the Advent Carol Service, Ash Wednesday Evensong, and the Bach Cantata Evensongs.
Christopher Gray
Christopher Gray has been Director of Music at St. John’s College since April 2023. With responsibilities focusing on the College’s celebrated choir and organ, he works with the Choristers, Choral Scholars, Lay Clerks, and Organ Scholars to provide music that enhances the liturgy of the beautiful Gilbert Scott chapel, upholding a tradition that dates from the 1670s.
After early musical education in his hometown of Bangor, Northern Ireland, Christopher became Assistant Organist at St. George’s Parish Church, Belfast. At the age of 18 he moved to England to take up the organ scholarship at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he read music. A Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, Christopher studied the organ with David Sanger and Nicolas Kynaston at Cambridge. He was subsequently taught by Margaret Phillips at the Royal College of Music, where he was a post-graduate student and a prize winner. During this time, he also held the organ scholarship at Guildford Cathedral.
In 2000 Christopher was appointed Assistant Director of Music at Truro Cathedral, working closely with Andrew Nethsingha and then Robert Sharpe. In 2008 he became Director of Music, taking on responsibility for the cathedral choir and its seven sung services each week, as well as the Father Willis organ. As Musical Director of Three Spires Singers and Orchestra he conducted most of the large-scale choral repertoire.
During his first three terms at St. John’s, Christopher has led a collaboration with the Academy of Ancient Music, the Advent Carol Service broadcast, and a tour to Luxembourg and the Netherlands, as well as premiering new works composed for the Choir by Joanna Marsh. In the coming months he will make his first recording with the Choir.