Masters of the Bench

John Rutter received his first musical education as a chorister at Highgate School. He went on to study music at Clare College, Cambridge, where he wrote his first published compositions and conducted his first recording while still a student.  His compositional career has embraced both large and small-scale choral works, orchestral and instrumental pieces, a piano concerto, two children’s operas, music for television, and specialist writing for such groups as the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble and the King’s Singers.  His larger choral works, Gloria (1974), Requiem (1985), Magnificat (1990), Psalmfest (1993) and Mass of the Children (2003) have been performed many times in Britain, North America, and a growing number of other countries.  He co-edited four volumes in the Carols for Choirs series with Sir David Willcocks, and, more recently, has edited the first two volumes in the new Oxford Choral Classics series, Opera Choruses (1995) and European Sacred Music (1996).  From 1975 to 1979 he was Director of Music at Clare College, whose choir he directed in a number of broadcasts and recordings.  After giving up the Clare post to allow more time for composition, he formed the Cambridge Singers as a professional chamber choir primarily dedicated to recording, and he now divides his time between composition and conducting.  In 1980 he was made an honorary Fellow of Westminster Choir College, Princeton, and in 1988 a Fellow of the Guild of Church Musicians.  In 1996 the Archbishop of Canterbury conferred a Lambeth Doctorate of Music upon him in recognition of his contribution to church music.  He was honoured in the 2007 Queen’s New Year Honours List, being awarded a CBE for services to music.  John Rutter’s music is published by Oxford University Press, Hinshaw Music Inc. and Collegium Music Publications.

John wrote a fanfare especially for the 2008 Temple Festival Service of Thanksgiving, and in April 2009 was the guest speaker at the Inn's annual Hall Dinner.