St John’s College Cambridge announces Christopher Gray as new Director of Music

Christopher Gray, currently Director of Music at Truro Cathedral, has been named as the new leader of the world-renowned Choir of St John’s, notable for launching the careers of many globally recognised musicians.

Heather Hancock, Master of St John’s, said, ‘Chris is an exceptional musician whose acclaimed choral direction has brought the Truro Cathedral Choir to international prominence, and whose innovation in musical education and outreach is widely admired.

‘We have no doubt that, in Chris’s hands, the St John’s College Choir will sustain and enhance its reputation for breath-taking musicality and originality, enhancing daily worship, the life of the College, and delighting audiences worldwide.’

Gray is currently responsible for Truro Cathedral Choir and its six sung services each week. He also directs Three Spires Singers and Orchestra and has previously conducted St Mary’s Singers and Orchestra, Cornwall Youth Choir, Cornwall Junior Choir, Richard Lander School’s Wilbye Choir and Truro School’s Senior Choir.

He said, ‘I have long been an admirer of St John’s College and the Chapel Choir whose performances have such intense power to move listeners. I feel a real affinity with the distinctive ethos of St John’s and look forward to working with the extremely talented organists and singers who are the current custodians of its celebrated choral tradition, as well as with the Headmaster and staff at St John’s College School.’

Gray will succeed Andrew Nethsingha who has been appointed as Organist and Master of Choristers at Westminster Abbey. When Gray was appointed Assistant Director of Music at Truro in September 2000, he worked closely with Nethsingha, who was then the cathedral’s Director of Music. During this time, Gray appeared as organist with the Cathedral Choir in numerous live broadcasts for BBC radio and television as well as on eight CD recordings on the Regent, Lammas and Priory labels.

Andrew Nethsingha’s final Evensong at St John’s will be sung on Thursday 1 December at 6.30pm. Gray will begin his new role as Director of Music later this academic year. Professor Stephen Darlington MBE will be the interim Director of Music from Lent Term 2023.