Music Staff

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Michael Turvey MBE GLCM ARCO HonRSCM

Michael started his musical career as a boy chorister at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, studying piano, organ, and O & A level music under the late Percy Hallam (cathedral organist).  Tuition was continued under Dr Arthur Wills (Ely Cathedral), the late H E Bate (Muswell Hill, London) and Guy Eldridge at the London College of Music where he gained the Associateship of the Royal College of Organists and from where he graduated before continuing into teacher training at the Institute of Education of London University.  Michael spent all of his working life in education and for most of the time was Head of Music in a large North London Comprehensive School where many students proceeded into a full-time career in the music profession.

Michael's first organist post was at the age of 15 near Lavenham, in Suffolk.  He eventually arrived in Pinner in 1963 whilst still a student, and has stayed ever since!  In 1965, the Pinner Music Festival was inaugurated and has continued under Michael's direction.  The Festival has raised well over £60,000 for charities in that time and has given many local musicians a performing platform.

In 2005, Michael was awarded an MBE for services to music and the community of Pinner and a London Borough of Harrow 50th Anniversary Award for generous and unstinting public service.  In May 2008, Michael was also made a Honorary Member of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) in recognition to his work with the RSCM within the London area.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Andrew West BA(Hons) FASC

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

Andrew studied at Colchester Institute, Centre for Music and Performance Arts and Kutztown University, Pennsylvania, USA, graduating with an honours degree in Liturgical Music in 2001. He studied singing with Ian Ray and organ with Christopher Phelps (former organist of Armagh Cathedral) and Dr Ina Grapenthin (USA).

Andrew was organist and choirmaster of Colchester Parish Church for four years, alongside which he undertook postgraduate research in Liturgical Music with Bill Tamblyn at Colchester Institute.

As a solo organist and accompanist, Andrew has had the opportunity to play in numerous churches and cathedrals throughout the UK and Europe. Since May 2004, Andrew has been Assistant Director of Music at Pinner Parish Church. Andrew is the Awards Administrator for RSCM London Area.

www.andrewwest.net