John Ellis

John Ellis qualified in Medicine at Manchester University and then, specialising in Paediatrics, held an NHS Consultant post until retiring in 2002. He has a life long interest in playing the piano and organ, obtaining the ARCO whilst working in Bolton with tuition from William Morgan. John has held a number of church organist posts (since 1997 at St. Mary's Parish Church, Prestwich, Manchester) and also finds himself rehearsing and accompanying a variety of singers and choral groups.

He commenced composing seriously comparatively late, and mainly for organ, pieces ranging from church voluntaries to recital items. Ronald Frost has recorded some of these works, and Fagus-Music and Animus Music Publishing have published a selection. His choral works (anthems, cantatas etc) have been performed by a number of choirs in the North West and recently he has increasingly composed for soprano with organ and piano accompaniment. John was delighted to receive First Prize in the Edinburgh Organ Academy 2004 Organ Composition Competition, and to be awarded a commission by SPNM/Heritage Lottery Fund for the newly restored organ in St. Botolph’s, Aldgate (2006): He also is an active member of the composition group, "Lakeland Composers".

Concert Waltz (2005) and Variations on Veni Emmanuel (2003) were performed during the 2007 AFNOM festival in London.