John Keys

John Keys, born on 3 December 1956 in Chester, England, is a British organist. He began his musical training under Malcolm Boyle and later served as an assistant organist at Chester Cathedral. He continued his studies with Edward Higginbottom at New College, Oxford, and Lionel Rogg in Geneva, where he earned the 1re Prix de Virtuosité from the Conservatoire de Musique de Genève. In 1984, he was appointed Director of Music at St. Mary's Church, Nottingham, and won first prize at the 4th Manchester International Organ Competition that same year. He formed the Orchestra of the Restoration in 1988 to accompany a substantial restoration program at St. Mary's Church. He completed recordings of all 941 hymns in the new Ancient & Modern hymn book in 2014, and his recording of "Abide With Me" was featured on BBC Radio Berkshire as part of the World War I at Home series. In 2015, some of his recordings were used during a service commemorating Winston Churchill's death. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Guild of Church Musicians and was appointed Nottingham City Organist in 2016.