About me

Andrew West Organist
^{St Katharine's, Southbourne (January 2020)}

I was educated at Bishop Stopford School in Enfield, Middlesex and took organ lessons with Peter Smith (Cheshunt Parish Church). At the age of 16, I was appointed organist of St Matthew, Ponders End, a post which I held for two years.

In 1998, I furthered my studies at Colchester Institute, Centre for Music and Performance Arts and Kutztown University, Pennsylvania, USA, graduating with an honours degree in Liturgical Music in 2001.

I studied singing with Ian Ray and organ with Christopher Phelps (former organist of Armagh Cathedral) and Dr Ina Grapenthin (USA).

I was organist and choirmaster of St James the Great in Colchester from 2000 until 2004, alongside which I undertook postgraduate research in Liturgical Music with Roman Catholic composer, Bill Tamblyn, at Colchester Institute.

As a solo organist and accompanist, I have had the opportunity to play in numerous churches and cathedrals throughout the UK and Europe. I was Assistant Director of Music at Pinner Parish Church from 2004 until 2010. I took the choir to sing services at Truro, Southwark, St Edmundsbury, Chelmsford, Bristol and Gloucester cathedrals and also a visit to Westminster Abbey.

I have been fortunate to play in other notable buildings, such as Waltham Abbey, Norwich Cathedral, Boulogne Cathedral (France), St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral, Valetta (Malta) and various churches in the United States.

I was Director of Music at St Luke's, Bournemouth from 2011 until 2017 and Director of Music at St Katharine's, Southbourne from 2017 until 2023. I am a Fellow of the Society of Crematorium Organists.

Click HERE to hear me play.

Click HERE to see the list of organs
that I have played.

CONTACT ME:

Email: mail@andrewwest.net

Tel: 07590 761763

As a professional musician, I hold adequate public liability insurance to the value of £5m.

Available for Funerals, Weddings, Church Services & Organ Recitals