The St. John of Jerusalem Festival Chorus was founded in 1997 by James Funnell, the then rector, and his son Simon. We continue under the musical direction of our conductor, John Andrews, supported by Timothy Kwan and Victoria Hay.

John Andrews – Conductor

Since winning the special 'Orchestra Prize' at the Bela Bartok Opera Conducting Competition in 2005, John Andrews has been increasingly in demand for his musical fluency, passion and skill.

In addition to a busy concert schedule, this year he is conducting Tolomeo (Handel) for English Touring Opera, Cosě fan tutte (Mozart) for English Camber Opera, Orfeo ed Euridice (Gluck) at St John's Smith Square, The Barber of Seville at Stanley Hall Opera and Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Handel) for Opera de Baugé. After a well-received performance of La Cenerentola (Rossini) in 2009, he will be returning to Garsington Opera to work on Le nozze di Figaro (Mozart).

John conducts several amateur choirs and orchestras, and this year will conduct The Magic Flute (Mozart) in a performance at Glyndbourne Opera House with a cast ranging from professional singers to lawyers and children from Stepney schools.

Timothy Kwan – Organ/Piano

Timothy began his musical studies in piano and violin as a child after being inspired by the school orchestra in the Christmas concert. At the age of 11 he was accepted into Trinity College of Music for Juniors (Junior Trinity) where he studied the viola. Later Tim accepted a music scholarship to The Royal Hospital School in Ipswich. Tim has just finished his final year at Trinity College of Music studying the organ with Ian Curror, and is currently Director of Music at St Mary of Eton in Hackney Wick and organist at the Middlesex New Synagogue, Harrow on the Hill.

Victoria Hay – Organ

Victoria was born in Melbourne, Australia, where she first studied piano with Meryl Ross at the University of Melbourne. Since moving to London, she has been studying the organ with Gerard Brooks. As well as being the organist at Allen Hall, she is also organist at St. Paul's Harringay and one of a team at St. Mary's, Theydon Bois. In her spare time she teaches organ and piano, directs and accompanies various choirs and gives the occasional organ recital.